Ask Essential Energy what happened when Dubbo trees were lopped by its contractors to protect power lines and city councillors lashed out saying streetscapes were devastated.

"Butchered", "just murder", "appalling", "enough to make a man cry" and other colourful statements echoed in council chambers.

The work was temporarily halted. There were urgent meetings, strategies, plans and pledges of greater consultation in the future between Essential and council.

A general sigh of relief followed - more care would be exercised to protect the tree canopy.

If trees had to be cut (as they must be) it would be done with less negative impacts on the streets and trees.

Now, a group of residents is taking the axe to the council over the removal of a tree on the northern edge of the roundabout at Erskine and Darling streets to widen traffic lanes.

The group held a protest on Sunday and wants council to have a strategic plan for Dubbo's trees that is available to the community.

The council says it has such a plan, is renewing it and people will see it in the next 12 months and can give feedback.

But the group wants consultation, saying there hasn't been any. It suggests a residents' committee for advice to or consultation with council.

The council might be well-advised to listen before it is tagged a "butcher".