A concerned resident has called into question the legality of land clearing in and around Port Douglas recently.

Sandra Simpson says that she has witnessed the clearing first hand, and is worried about the impact on the local environment and an apparent disregard for land clearing laws.

"Several mature Melaleuca and rainforest trees have been felled in my immediate vicinity in the last few weeks.

"Last Friday another mature Melaleuca tree on vacant land at 36 Sorrento Crescent was in the process of being felled without Council apporval, for no better reason than to supposedly make the block more saleable. It has been for sale for five years."

Ms Simpson says she confronted workers from a local arborist company and asked if they had approval, filming the incident on her iPhone as it unfolded, and was abruptly asked to leave.

"When I approached the workmen to video the work I was ordered off the land and (told) that they had permission to clear the whole block.

"I had put my safety at risk doing this but needed to stop the work."

Ms Simpson attempted to contact the contractor to question whether permission to remove the tree was granted but was unsuccessful, before being told by Council no approval was given.

Work has been halted until a Council representative inspects the site, however the tree in question has been stripped of all but its uppermost branches.

"I am concerned that Council will now give permission to remove the tree with the excuse that it has been substantially damaged or dangerous as all lower branches have been removed and mulched.

"This approval would actually substantially reward the arborist for removing so called protected trees and will continue unabated."

Ms Simpson said the large tree was in perfect health prior to the workers arriving. She added that removal of trees in the area has caused significant degradation of the local environment.