Tree planted by Duke of Wellington nearly 200 years ago to be cut down because of safety concerns Cedar tree has stood on Kingston Lacy estate in Dorset since 1827 National Trust want to pull it down, fearing it could fall and injure staff Tree surgeons say it is rotten and only five per cent of trunk is alive Calls come despite it recently surviving the 'roughest storm in 30 years' A tree planted by the Duke of Wellington on a country estate nearly 200 years ago could be cut down because of concerns it could fall and injure staff. The controversial decision by the National Trust to fell one of Britain's most historic trees for safety reasons has been met with criticism after it survived one of roughest storms in 30 years last month. The cedar tree, which was planted on the Kingston Lacy estate in Dorset in 1827, will be pulled down because it is rotten. At risk: The cedar tree which has stood on the Kingston Lacy estate in Dorset since 1827 The National Trust said the 'landmark' tree had to be felled immediately after experts found there was only five per cent live wood left in the trunk. However, Jeremy Barrell, a consultant on heritage trees, told The Times he saw the tree this summer and could not see anything wrong with it. He said: 'How can the National Trust say the tree needs to come down for safety reasons when we have just had the worst storm in 30 years and it was completely unaffacted?' Head gardener Andrew Hunt said he would 'cry to see it coming down'. He said: 'It's sad and it's going to be horrible. But the seeds from the Duke's trees have been used to propagate many other younger cedars in the garden so its family line lives on with us.' New use: Gardener Maddie Rock said holds branches which could be used to create sculptures or benches He said cedars are not native to Britain and they do not respond very well to bad winters. A National Trust spokesman said specialist tree surgeons had already begun lopping off branches and bringing it down piece by piece. Visitor services manager Martin Granados said the work could take a week to complete. After the felling of the tree and two others, the ground will be cleared and replacements propagated from the seeds of the Wellington cedar will be planted. Mr Hunt said the chopped-down tree would be used in a number of ways, with some parts being turned into a sculptures and benches for the main gardens. Arthur Wellesley, who was the first Duke of Wellington, planted the tree at the estate then owned by William John Bankes. History: Arthur Wellesley, who was the first Duke of Wellington, planted the tree at the estate then owned by William John Bankes