Some of Te Anau's iconic lakefront blue gum trees are in the process of being removed from the tourist town's lakefront after being deemed to be at the end of their life and dangerous by the Southland District Council (SDC).

An aerial view of the Te Anau lakefront, with the trees for removal highlighted in red. Photo: SDC/Facebook

Work by SDC contractors to removed the mature trees got underway on Monday (29 Apr).

Wood from the trees is to be used for nature play and community firewood.

In late February four lakefront Silver Birches had to be removed from near the lake's public boat ramp after it was found they had been deliberately poisoned.

The Fiordland Community Board will be considering options for the lakefront as part of the Te Anau Basin Development Plan.

A draft of the plan is currently in its final stages of key stakeholder consultation. It will then be made available for public input.