A last-minute motion by Labor councillor Nuatali Nelmes, asking the council to hold off on the removal of the trees, was passed seven votes to five.

Lord mayor John Tate backed the resolution that will prevent the council from removing the trees until it has investigated a "pull test", which groups battling to save the trees believe will prove they are not a safety risk.

Of the councillors who originally voted to remove the trees because they posed a safety risk, only Cr Tate supported last night's motion.

Members of Save Our Figs and the Parks and Playgrounds Movement had earlier yesterday pleaded with Newcastle City Council to keep the trees until at least the end of the month as they prepared an appeal against last week's NSW Land and Environment Court ruling.

The court ruled that the council had the right to remove the trees, which could have come down as early as Friday when an injunction was to be lifted.

The legal team acting on behalf of the community groups had contacted the council's solicitors and asked for the injunction to be extended, as they needed more time to prepare their appeal.

Last night's motion requires the council to investigate a pull test which activists have claimed would cost about $30,000 and was the best way to prove determine whether the figs needed to be removed.

Cr Mike Jackson said he would support the motion, because the cost of a pull test was significantly less than the council faced in legal bills if further court action was taken.

Cr Aaron Buman, who said protesters trying to save the trees were "some of the rudest people I've ever met" also attempted to move a motion to keep the figs indefinitely.

He said activists had "worn me down".

The motion also prevents the trees from being removed until the council has finalised its civic master plan.