The Sydney Red Gum, which stood at the corner Caronia Avenue and Woolooware Road. Picture Google Maps

A beautiful Sydney Red Gum street tree opposite Woolooware Oval was removed because it was a risk to safety, Sutherland Shire Council says.

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The tree stood on the corner Caronia Avenue and Woolooware Road.

The council said a replacement tree of the same, or a similar, species would be planted in an appropriate location nearby.

The tree "has been blitzed from the earth". Picture by Murray Trembath

Woolooware resident Shirley Evans wrote to the Leader, saying, "Every evening we go for a walk after dinner and were horrified to see that this beautiful tree has been blitzed from the earth".

"My old dog used to love a sniff under it in the shade in summer and in the winter it gave shelter from the rain. It was a sanctuary for birds and wildlife and was such a lovely sight to see.

"The Council should replace every tree it destroys with two new trees.

"What sort of Cronulla are our grandchildren going to inherit? A moonscape with termite towers and hot as hell.

The new Norfolk island Pine in the north-east corner of Cronulla Park. Picture by Murray Trembath

A council spokeswoman said the Sydney Red Gum "has been removed following an arboricultural assessment which identified the tree as structurally compromised".

"It posed a potential safety risk to pedestrians, motorists and nearby property, and removal was recommended as the safest course of action," she said.

"Council will soon replant a Sydney Red Gum or a suitable alternative species in an appropriate location nearby.

"Council recognises the important role mature trees play in providing shade, habitat and local character, and remains committed to increasing the tree canopy across the local government area (LGA).

"Recently, more than 120 trees were planted in the Cronulla area, with a further 100 trees planned for planting in Woolooware in June."