He was all smiles again recently though, as he helped the council plant a new native tree in its place at Bonaira Reserve.

The Kings' Girrawheen Avenue home is located almost directly opposite the reserve's playground equipment, where the original tree stood.

Michael Taylor, tree management officer at Kiama council said last year a resident expressed concerns with the eucalyptus tree, which had dropped a couple of branches during heavy winds.

The council inspected it and did some pruning work.

However, early this year after another wind storm, another branch fell off the tree.

"Because there was a history of failure with the tree, we believed being next to the playground equipment and everything … We believed that was in the best interests to remove the tree," Mr Taylor said.

Work was carried out in February, and three days later they received Dashiell's letter.

In his response, Mr Taylor explained the council's reasons for cutting down the tree.

"If the branches were to hit someone it would hurt them," he wrote.

"Council would not like anyone to get hurt as I'm sure you would not like anyone to get hurt either."

Mr Taylor also told Dashiell they would be planting another tree to replace the one removed, and the council would like him to help plant it.

They recently planted a rainforest tree in its place.

"We've got Bonaira native garden, which has a lot of rainforest species in there," Mr Taylor said.

"It's a good-looking tree, it's fairly tough, should grow well in this environment and it's not prone to failure, dropping limbs or anything."

Mr Taylor said the youngster's interest was encouraging.

"It's fantastic to see that there's young people in the community that have got concerns about trees, the loss of trees in the urban environment, and how important it is to have them," he said.

Siobhan King said her son had previously written to the council aged five when branches were cut off another nearby tree.

"It was only when he started schooling at home this year that we noticed how many trees were being cut down all the time, so when this one went down, the boys just came out on the balcony and there were a few tears shed about the tree going.

"They used to love climbing up it; they called it the 'koala tree'.

"But we could see how many branches were coming off it, and it was obviously not very safe.

"But Dash decided he'd write a letter to the council."

Dashiell's letter

Dear Council,

I noticed that you were cutting down the tree in the park near the AFL field.

Please do not cut down more trees. Here are some reasons why:

(1) Birds and other animals live in them.

(2) They give a lot of food for the animals.

(3) They give out oxygen for us.

(4) They give us shade.

(5) We like to climb them.

(6) They take a long time to grow.

So there you go. Six reasons. I feel angry that you cut down that tree. It's never ever going to grow again! So please stop cutting them down! Could you please plant some more gumtrees in the park? Please?

Dashiell King

Kiama