TREE SAVED AFTER PROTEST
A MATURE oak tree will not be felled after campaigners reached a deal with Dŵr Cymru engineers upgrading a waste water treatment works.
The sessile oak tree at Stablau, Llanrug in Gwynedd was due to have been felled on Monday because Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water believed saving it “would not constitute value for money for our customers”.
Campaigners said the tree has been home to countless animals, has provided shade and shelter for many others and has given pleasure to passers-by for more than 150 years.
Some of the tree’s roots are within the boundary wall of a waste water treatment works that needs upgrading.
Campaigner Eluned Roberts does not disagree that the works need upgrading but was furious when she found out the tree was due to be chopped down.
She said: “When we learned of what was happening we contacted Welsh Water and met with them to try and save the tree.”
After a meeting on site on Monday morning a compromise was reached by which the tree will be pollarded – a pruning system in which the upper branches of a tree are removed, promoting a dense head of foliage and branches.
Ms Roberts said: “The roots on the waste treatment side of the tree will be removed but the others will be retained.”
She added: “It won’t be the same tree as before but there is a good chance it will regenerate and continue to provide a
habitat. habitat.”