They were planted heavily in Bermuda as a windbreak and a replacement tree after the scale insect blight destroyed most of the island’s native cedar forest.

However, the introduced casuarina subsequently made a name for itself as a pest tree — choking out endemic woodland species, easily uprooted by storms and damaging vulnerable sections of the coastline.

Members of the public contacted The Royal Gazette last week after noticing large numbers of trees coming down around the South Road entry to the Fairmont Southampton resort, now under redevelopment.

A spokesman for developer Westend Properties Ltd said: “The culling of invasive casuarina trees at the entrance to the Fairmont Southampton property is being carried out in consultation and compliance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources direction.”