Repairs to a well-trodden Perthshire bridge are scheduled to begin today.
The work will secure the short-term future of the so-called Shaky Bridge, near Comrie.
But engineers have warned that a historic sycamore may have to be removed to save the wooden crossing for future generations.
The bridge was shut down after concerns were raised about the state of a huge tree which supports it.
The move, by Perth and Kinross Council, was criticised by walkers who regularly use the route.
Now the council’s greenspace coordinator Dave Stubbs has confirmed that work will be underway soon.
In a letter to councillors, he wrote: “The intention is to undertake the works to the tree first, then carry out the repairs to the support for the bridge.”
He said the work will allow the bridge to re-opened, possibly by the end of the month.
However, Mr Stubbs stressed that while the immediate work will ensure the bridge’s stability in the short-term, it does not remove the risk of damage to the crossing if the tree starts to crumble.
“For a longer-term solution, decisions will need to be taken about removal or significant reduction of the sycamore tree to eliminate the risk of it failing and taking the bridge down with it,” he said.
“The engineer outlines a course of action to allow the tree to be removed and a new supporting structure put in its place on the north bank.
“We are aware that removal of the tree will not be popular, but feel that needs to be balanced against potential loss of the bridge.”