The sculptor Chris Wood of Woodart works will be starting work on the remains of one of Monmouth’s unique trees.

Last year, the Cedar of Lebanon that stood for 250 years in front of the building that now houses Bridges Centre, was cut back to a short trunk.

The tree that had towered over the building built by Compton Roberts in the 17th century had become a victim of recent storms.

Several consultants were brought in to assess whether the tree needed to be cut down and all agreed it was the only thing that could be done after specialists had diagnosed it to have phaeolus schweinitzii.

The plan is to create a design similar to that in the picture right and specialist scaffolding will be erected to allow the work to take place starting today, Wednesday February 15.

The scaffolding required to create the arms and hands is likely to be in place for a week.

It will restrict the pavement and the access to the stables’ units.

Bridges apologise for the inconvenience.

The lower section depicting animals of the Wye Valley, deer, swan, boer,s almon, kingfisher etc. will be carved from the gound or lower platforms.

The Royal Ciphers of our late Queen and current King will also feature alongside the CR motif of the Crompton Roberts family that built the original Drybridge House and carried out the major refurbishment in 1867.

Centre Manager Aileen Atkinson said: “Whilst a number of people were understandably upset at losing a 250 year old landmark, people were generally understanding and sympathetic to the difficult decision that had to be made.

She added: “Following the heart-breaking decision to fell our beautiful Cedar of Lebanon last year, we were incredibly lucky to have engaged the amazing Chris Wood of Woodart Works to carve something amazing out of the remaining stump.

‘‘Chris is very much in demand so we’ve had to be patient but the art that will be created will ensure an enduring legacy to the fabulous specimen that we’ve lost.”