Officers from the riot squad have been sent in to contain about 100 angry protesters as workers try to remove fig trees in a Newcastle street.

Lord mayor John Tate said residents were furious to see the avenue of 14 fig trees go.

"People are just devastated" ... protesters tore down fences this morning as chainsaws began felling the Laman Street fig trees. Credit:Darren Pateman

"People are just devastated. There was a lot of tension in the air," Cr Tate said.

"They are hacking limbs off as fast and furious as they can so there's no way back."