It was a case of termites and corellas which led to the devastating council decision in July, one in which the mayor said was with "the greatest of reluctance".

The tall river red gums estimated to be about 25 years old had been found dead and hollow inside by a local arborist, and what followed was a quick succession of tree-lopping.

According to the council and the owner of Katherine Tree Maintenance, Pete Wasley, who took on the job, the trees posed a risk to the high-traffic area at the Civic Centre, which includes a carpark.

"When we cut the first one on Friday we found the internal core of the tree had been badly eaten out by termites and there was a lot of rot," Mr Wasley said on August 12.

"The integrity of the tree when it has been eaten by termites means it is nowhere near as strong.

"In a public place like this, with lots of cars entering and exiting it was too dangerous to keep them."

With the job complete, a spokeswoman for the council has said assessments have been made and "the need to replant is considered [a] low priority".

However, it has not been made clear how the council reached that decision, despite a question from the Katherine Times.

While it might not be an immediate priority for the council, the depot crew has started a nursery.

The spokeswoman said planting could occur to replace some of the felled trees "when appropriate".

But it would be at a lower quantity.

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