THIS week's high winds and heavy rain did nothing to quell John Brophy's fears about a large tree on his Caringbah property.
A falling branch hit the roof of his home, bringing down guttering. It also hit his wife's car, tearing off the bumper bar.
Mr Brophy has lived with his wife and two children at their Taren Point Road home for 10 years.
He has been refused permission by Sutherland Shire Council three times to remove the offending tree from his front yard.
The council said the tree, a eucalyptus grandis or flooded gum, provided a positive contribution to the quality of the streetscape and character of the location.
But Mr Brophy is worried about safety, not the streetscape, because branches frequently fall from the large tree.
"I am very worried about the safety of my family, my neighbours and the public due to the size of the tree and the huge expanse of the branches," Mr Brophy said.
"It hangs over our house, the neighbours' [houses], electricity lines and Taren Point Road."
Mr Brophy said his daughter, 12, would not sleep in front rooms of the house because she was frightened the tree might fall in windy weather.
His neighbours have also written to the council supporting his request for the tree's removal.
"The tree is four storeys high and stands 4.2 metres from my front verandah. It would be the highest tree in the area," Mr Brophy said.
"I call it the widow tree because I believe it will kill somebody. That's not a joke.
"Branches have fallen on Taren Point Road, where lots of school children and elderly people walk by.
"Last year I got a permit to remove two branches. This cost me $4000. We had to hire a cherry picker and an aborist.
"This week's storms show it is still a danger.
"I'm asking the council to reconsider and remove the tree for safety's sake."
A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said the council had given permission in the past to prune the tree rather than remove it.
"We are currently reviewing the situation in light of the recent branch drop," she said.
Should trees deemed dangerous be removed?