Two Government departments have launched an internal probe to find a mystery tree-cutter who chopped down an old Bermuda cedar tree.

The 30-foot tree, which was on protected woodland, was felled some time on Thursday when it was discovered lying across the road on Vesey Street, Devonshire.

Investigating officials believe a chainsaw was used to bring the tree crashing to the ground.

But Works and Engineering and the Parks Department have both launched an inquiry to discover what happened.

A National Trust official visited the scene on Thursday afternoon and asked officials to launch an inquiry.

Cathy Gosling, the National Trust's conservation officer, said a Works and Engineering crew was chopping up the tree and loading it onto a truck when she arrived.

She added: "Nobody seemed to know how the tree came to be felled.

"An elderly man had rung me to say it was lying across the road and that's obviously why Works and Engineering came along to remove it.

"I also know for a fact that the tree, which was on a grass verge beside the road, is actually on zoned woodland and is protected.

"Not only would it be illegal to chop it down, it is also highly immoral.

Cedar is becoming very valuable here in Bermuda and we need to save as much of it as we possibly can.

"Cedar is in extreme demand and it's vitally important we find whoever did this.'' She said the tree was on a private piece of property owned by Government.

"The Works and Engineering staff on the site said they didn't know who had removed the tree,'' added Mrs. Gosling.

Government's Chief Engineer, Russell Wade, confirmed an investigation had begun.

But he ruled out any Works and Engineering staff as the culprits -- and said the Parks Department had joined the internal inquiry.

"It's being investigated by the Parks Department and Works and Engineering,'' said Mr. Wade.

"The tree certainly wasn't taken down by anybody from Works and Engineering.

We are still investigating but there are no clues as yet.

"Other than that, I cannot make any comment.'' The felled tree was just yards from the National Equestrian Centre, whose proposals to expand sparked controversy among environmentalists.

The National Trust has waged a war against the plans, still being evaluated by the Development Applications Board.

Former Environment Minister Irving Pearman temporarily lifted a zoned woodland order preventing any development, so the project could be considered.

CHAINSAW MASSACRE -- An old Bermuda cedar tree lies fallen across the road at Vesey Street, after it was mysteriously chopped down on Thursday.