The Quadrant will be the council’s first major public open space redevelopment, which includes new pavers, street trees, lighting, furniture, and street art.

Four iconic trees were removed from the area on the weekend to make way for the busy summer works schedule.

The trees, a mixture of maidenhairs and Japanese flowering cherries, were relocated to the council’s Invermay nursery.

Launceston landscape architect Niall Simpson said the early move was key to the trees’ health.

‘‘The trees have basically been in hibernation over winter so we need to move them before they fully wake up,’’ Mr Simpson said.

‘‘As part of the redevelopment, ultimately we’ll be roughly doubling the number of trees in Quadrant Mall, most likely using a mixture of these two species - so it will be a very green place.’’

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said the relocation was an exciting step in the overall project.

‘‘As part of the Launceston City Heart Project, we have already redeveloped two laneways; Centreway Lane and Dicky Whites Lane,’’ Alderman van Zetten said.

LCHP group chairman Alderman Darren Alexander said design work was continuing as changes were rolling out.

‘‘The last major works in the Quadrant Mall occurred in the late 1970s so this is a great chance to reinvigorate the infrastructure in this important retail area,’’ Alderman Alexander said.