Protesters block sky rail workers from chopping down 250-year-old river red gum at Hughesdale train station

UPDATE: Police have arrived on the scene as protesters try to prevent sky rail workers chopping down 250-year-old river red gum trees at Hughesdale.

POLICE have been called to move about 15-20 protesters blocking sky rail workers from chopping down a 250-year-old tree at Hughesdale train station.

About ten police are at the scene, as a cherry picker moves in to place.

One protester, Patrick Wortho, claimed he was assaulted.

“I was standing there and was forcibly removed, they grabbed me by the arm,” he said.

About 10 police were sent to Hughesdale train station as workers prepare to cut down a 250-year-old tree.

Police at Hughesdale as a cherry picker is set up.

Catherine Pendelich, one of two women who had put themselves between workers and the tree to prevent it being chopped down, said the pair had been moved by police to public land.

But she said they were still under the branches of the tree, so it could not be chopped down.

“That would be too dangerous,” she said.

The river red gum, which has its own Twitter account and is known among locals as Boyd Murumbeena, had been shown on the plans to be safe.

Blockade at @BMurrumbeena tree #HughesdaleStation car park 250yr old tree @levelcrossings wants to cut. No need, show us plans #stopthechop pic.twitter.com/WXE9HFTBgW

— No Skyrail (@NoSkyrail) February 13, 2017

Ms Pendelich said they had no intention of leaving.

“It’s been a very interesting Valentine’s Day so far,” she said.

“We’re all here showing our love for our Boyd.

“We’re not causing any trouble or issues to public safety.

“We’re allowed to be here.

Protesters were refusing to move out of the way on Tuesday morning. Picture courtesy of Amos Hunt

“They can’t move us further — we are not endangering ourselves or anyone else.

“This is a peaceful protest.”

Ms Pendelich said several trees in the area had been named, including Rosie at Carnegie station and Merric, which stands next to Boyd and is believed to be about the same age.

“We want to see the plans. We want to see why this tree has to go down.

“It doesn’t make sense to us.”

Even pro #skyrail supporters wanted me saved. Fobbed off, no advocacy since August? #stopthechop #skyrail #springst pic.twitter.com/eAvq7uIM8X

— Boyd Murrumbeena (@BMurrumbeena) February 13, 2017

Dianne Hunt, secretary of Lower Our Tracks Inc, said residents had for months been asking to see the plans.

“We want to see why this magnificent 250-year-old tree has to be removed, especially when (transport minister) Jacinta Allan’s own presentation shows the tree still in place after the station has been built,” Ms Hunt said.

“Residents were told it would be a feature of the new railways station forecourt.

“All we want to see are the plans.”