At least two people were injured when the large tree in Hyde Park crashed to the ground across a footpath and onto a busy street about 3pm on Friday.
The police officers who were first on scene frantically combed through a sea of branches and foliage to determine if anyone had become trapped underneath.
Emergency services said no one appeared to have been seriously injured in the incident.
Two people suffering minor injuries were transported to the nearby St Vincent's Hospital for treatment, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson said.
The tree on the park's edge, near St James station, appeared to have split in two before crashing across the nearby footpath.
Police officers searched through branches and foliage to see if anyone was trapped underneath. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)
Two people were hit by the branches and knocked to the ground while onlookers ran to their aid, according to one witness.
The man, who identified himself as Chris, said he was walking along Elizabeth St when he heard the crack of the tree and saw it crash on to a woman.
"There was a gust of wind and the tree has just fallen," he told AAP.
Two people were hit by the branches and knocked to the ground while onlookers ran to their aid. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)
"A lady was in the middle of it. If she had been a few metres back or a few metres forward it would have ended a lot worse.
"But she walked away with a couple of scratches, so she got really lucky. It's such a high traffic area but everyone got away, luckily."
Emergency services, including at least three ambulance crews, were on scene with police diverting traffic as the tree blocked two lanes of southbound traffic.
People were warned to stay away from the park's trees amid the winds sweeping though the city. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)
Police rescue crews were considering whether to chop the tree into pieces in order to clear the road.
Staff from the nearby Sheraton hotel ran across to help victims and search for anyone else who had been injured.
Onlookers were warned to stay away from other trees out of fears they could also fall.
