The Governor-General's office faced a difficult choice: Save a Moreton Bay fig tree that towered over Admiralty House for decades, or preserve the 1850s Marine Barracks at the edge of Sydney Harbour.
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Kirribilli Point's historic barracks building won, much to the alarm of North Sydney residents and ferry passengers who watched in horror as the century-old tree was chopped down on Tuesday.
However, the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General said the fig threatened to destroy the barracks. Its removal was "critical" to "protect and preserve" the sandstone building, which had been crushed by the tree and its roots.
Among residents surprised at the fig's demise was North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson, whose home overlooks the grounds of Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove's Sydney residence.
She had been "amazed" to see the tree being torn down as she went past on a ferry.
"I thought at first it must be diseased because I knew there would have to be a very good reason for such a significant fig tree to be removed."
"I've had lots of residents asking, I've had people stopping me in the street."
A spokesman for the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General said it had sought advice from engineers and heritage experts before deciding to cut down the landmark tree.
He said the tree had self-seeded in the steep bank behind the harbourside barracks more than 100 years ago.
Its weight had already irreparably damaged a retaining wall at the site and had been pushing against the barrack's rear wall, slowly squashing the structure.
"Engineers have reviewed the situation and say the retaining wall could fail at any time," the spokesman said.
"If this was to occur the historic barracks would be severely damaged, if not destroyed."
The barracks is the main building that makes up the Kirribilli Point Battery, which is one of two remaining 1850’s fortifications on Sydney Harbour.
"These works will protect the Marine Barracks, ensuring an important part of Sydney and Australia’s
history remains intact, and will preserve the heritage value of the Kirribilli Point Battery precinct," the spokesman said.
A replacement six-metre tall Norfolk Island pine will be planted further up the hill from the barracks, where it is unlikely to impact on the structure.
It will take about two weeks for the tree to be removed and associated works to be completed.
Cr Gibson said the council had no say over tree removal at the site but the Governor-General's office had alerted the council's planning department because the building was affected.
"I think they were in a real dilemma - on one hand a significant, much-loved, mature fig tree, and on the other hand a very important heritage building and a part of our maritime history."
Sydney resident Zara Hall, who watched from a boat on the harbour as the tree was removed, said: “I can’t believe this tree has been cut down, it is an integral part of the Sydney Harbour landscape and as iconic as the buildings that share the same land.
"It was heartbreaking to watch as it was cut into pieces, removed by a crane and then shredded into mulch."
Cr Gibson said two of the largest fig trees on the stately home's grounds, which are clearly visible from the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, remained standing.
The loss of mature fig trees that line many Sydney streets has proved controversial, particularly when they have been cut down to make way for urban development.
Most recently, eastern suburbs residents protested the loss of a large Moreton Bay fig in Randwick known as "The Tree of Knowledge" to make way for the light rail line.
