Georgia's eccentric billionaire, former premier Bidzina Ivanishvili has come under fire from environmentalists for uprooting a rare giant tree and transporting it by boat to his private park.

The startling transplant was the latest eye-catching extravagance from the tycoon, who has repeatedly wowed his tiny homeland by amassing a priceless art collection, building a futuristic palace overlooking the capital and establishing his own private zoo.

Environmentalists accused Ivanishvili of causing serious damage to the ecosystem during the tree's removal and expressed fears that it was doomed to wither after replanting.