Work on a 300-year-old oak tree in a Wokingham churchyard was completed on schedule over the Christmas holiday.
The tree at St Paul’s church on Reading Road was made safe by tree surgeons after a large branch fell last year.
Experts confirmed that the tree was diseased, weakened, and should be felled.
The church’s rector, the Revd Canon Richard Lamey, together with the parish council spent several months preparing for the work.
“It’s something we didn’t want to do, but we knew that we had to for people’s safety,” said Mr Lamey.
“We’re really sad about the loss of such a beloved tree, a key part of the local landscape,
“I walked past and appreciated it several times a day.”
In a post on its website, the church said that after the work, the tree has been left in a safe state, albeit with slightly more left than was originally planned.
“There are some signs of growth on the remaining stumps left of the limbs.
“One growth is a small holly bush, which has rooted itself on the remains of a limb on the east side.”
During the operation, Reading Road was closed to traffic for two days.
“We did look into whether closing just one carriageway might be enough,” Mr Lamey added.
“The tree is fragile, and the contractors are concerned it might react unexpectedly.”
“They couldn’t do this overnight, as something this complicated would be unsafe in the dark.”
“Our tree surgeons and the Borough Council worked hard to make sure we could get this done in the school holidays, when lots of people are off work.
He acknowledged the support of Wokingham Borough Council, and of town council officers.
“We also really appreciate the support and understanding of the local community, which is also grieving the loss of this tree.
Although the tree has been trimmed to ensure safety, it is set to live on in other ways.
Mr Lamey said: “We collected acorns and saplings from the tree to replant in the churchyard in the future.”
