Homeowner poisoned trees to improve property’s sea view
An investigation has been launched after two mature trees were drilled into and poisoned in an apparent attempt by a homeowner to improve their sea view.
Residents in the West Cliff area of Bournemouth, Dorset, were furious after they discovered the attempt to kill off the pair of 30ft Scots pines.
They believe the trees have been deliberately poisoned so they will have to be felled, giving a better view of Poole Bay from luxury flats and increasing property values.
Colin Pipe, 53, who has a flat which overlooks the green, said: “We noticed the tops go brown towards the end of last year and then it just seemed to get progressively worse, so we reported to the council that something might be wrong with them.
“The council told me that the holes haven’t all been done in one growing season, so it’s been done more than once, and they have been done at an angle to allow stuff to be poured into the holes.
“People are very angry and it’s rather nasty because we all know each other, it’s like a little village here.
“It’s obvious why someone has done it – people do it to improve the view and they think ‘if I got rid of that it will put £15,000 value on my flat’.”
A council arboricultural officer has inspected the damage and has confirmed the two trees are showing signs of ill health and might have to be felled. Bournemouth council said it would look to prosecute if it can identify the perpetrator and the trees will be replaced if they die.
Anyone who wilfully destroys or damages a tree that is subject to a Tree Preservation Order can be taken to court and fined up to £20,000.