A major mobile phone company apologised after threatening to cut down an “iconic” 100-year-old tree.

Aldenham Parish Council said it received a letter from the Harlequin group, which represents mobile phone operator EE, which said the company intended to cut down the cedar tree outside the Radlett Centre in the village.

The tree is a landmark in the village and doubles as the village’s Christmas tree.

EE says it has a booster mast in the roof of the centre and the tree is interfering with signals.

Many EE customers in Radlett have reported slow or no service on a number of occasions.

The parish council suggested that EE should cut parts of the top of the tree, which has a tree protection order, but the letter says that under the Electronic Communications Code, EE has the power to seek agreement from the parish council to cut back any tree that interferes with communications.

Aldenham Parish Council chairman Cllr Vivienne Charrett said: “This is an iconic tree in Radlett and has been here for more than 100 years. It’s a special tree for and a focal point for our village. It is recognised in all of the pictures of the Radlett Centre.”

EE apologised for the tone of the letter.

A spokesman for EE said: “We’d like to apologise for the tone of the letter, and reassure the community that it is absolutely not our intention to force the removal of the tree. We’re working to identify a temporary location for a site that will stop the current service interruption, and we would appreciate the support of the parish council, to ensure we can improve the quality of mobile coverage for local residents.”

A new mast is to be installed in a park next to Radlett train station in September, which EE hopes will boost coverage in the area.