Melbourne gum tree cut down despite protesters' attempts to save it

An historic lemon-scented gum tree on Melbourne's Flemington Road has been cut down as part of roadworks, despite protesters' desperate attempts to save it.

Nine people chained themselves to the tree in the suburb of Kensington this morning.

Four of them, including a 70-year-old doctor, were arrested, and the rest of the group were moved on by police.

The near-century-old tree was felled to make way for the widening of CityLink.

Police continued to monitor the site to ensure the removal works were completed safely.

The much-loved tree had its own Twitter account, @FlemingtonRdGum, which documented its demise today and was renamed 'Former tree'. 

With AAP.