How could yew? Poisoner targets 200-year-old tree
VILLAGERS were outraged to find their beloved giant 200-year-old yew tree had been deliberately attacked with a massive dose of poison.
Tests revealed that toxic weedkiller glyphosate was used on the magnificent tree, which began dying over the summer.
Residents of Milton Lilbourne, near Marlborough, Wilts, are baffled as to why anyone would want to kill the 40ft-high yew.
The imposing churchyard landmark is part of village history, thriving during the reigns of seven British monarchs and the tenures of more than 40 prime ministers.
And it should have lived a lot longer – yews often last for 1,500 years. It stands opposite the home of Peter CroftonAtkins, who was furious to discover the tree had been attacked.
He added: “It looked sick, and half of the branches had turned brown. They took soil samples and discovered that the chemicals in my garden were 15 parts per million, but below the tree it was 10,000 parts per million.
“The tree man said it was extraordinary. They must have used a bath-full of the stuff.”
He has now written to Milton Lilbourne Parish Council demanding an investigation.
Mr Crofton-Atkins added: “I’m angry. You have to ask yourself who would do such a terrible act of vandalism?” Another villager, who asked not to be named, said there were now concerns other trees may have been targeted.
They said: “There’s another tree, possibly another two, which are suspected of having been poisoned, but people are not comfortable talking about it.”
Paul Oatway, chairman of the council, said: “Peter has written to me about this and I asked him for some more details.
“This matter will go on the agenda of the next parish council meeting.
“I’m not entirely sure what he wants the parish council to do. It may be that he should speak to the Environment Agency.”