Gippsland Armed Forces Museum president Neville Gibbons said he was concerned by reports from local residents who had seen VicRoads crews cutting down pine trees on the Princes Highway in recent weeks as they were part of a avenue of honour.

Mr Gibbons said the pine trees were planted along the highway as a memorial for soldiers from World War One and the plantation was listed on a memorial register for the Wellington shire.

"A number of years ago the brass plaques were recovered from the trees and installed at the RAAF Base,'' he said.

"But the avenue of honour with the pine trees has been forgotten by time, sadly.''

Mr Gibbons said he was concerned as there had been no consultation with local historians about the significance of the trees before they were removed.

VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew said the trees had been removed as part of works to improve safety on the highway and VicRoads hadn't been aware the trees were part of an avenue of honour.

"Prior to the works, VicRoads, in consultation with DSE, identified that the pine trees were potential road side hazards and should be removed,'' she said.

"The age and size of the pine trees varies and investigations before work started did not identify that some of the pine trees were part of a memorial or avenue of honour.''

Ms Liew said VicRoads had contacted a local historian to check the historical significance of the trees.

"The pine tree clearing has been suspended while VicRoads liaises with the local RSL president to ascertain whether the trees in their current form need to be retained,'' Ms Liew said.