Save our cedar! Residents block bid to chop down tree
VILLAGERS have managed to save a 150-year-old Gloucestershire tree from the chop in the nick of time.
Mickleton residents were shocked last week to find tree surgeons cutting the branches of the large cedar at the end of its namesake street.
Bromford Housing had sent out contractors to cut down and remove the large tree at the end of Cedar Road. But the sight of tree surgeons on August 22 was the first neighbours knew of their plans.
David Kinchin, who has lived in the village all his life, was the first to notice. He approached the contractors and asked them what they were up to.
“I live across the road from the cedar and I noticed these lorries under the tree and loads of cones on the corner,” he said. “I thought that doesn’t look like the normal trimming of some branches. I went out and asked the guys what was going on and they told me they were taking the tree out.
“With my fury I just said, ‘No, you’re not.’ I then went to find someone who could help me and I ended up with [district councillor] Tom Stowe, who has done a wonderful job of helping us all. I know it’s only temporary at the moment but hopefully we’ve got a reprieve.”
Villagers rallied around the tree and they got the local postman who was doing his round to inform other residents about the impending threat to the tree.
Sarah Stinchcombe, another neighbour, said the tree means a lot to the villagers. She said it came as a huge shock as nobody was informed about it.
“It’s a beautiful tree. I think it’s around 150 years old. It’s one of the reasons I bought the house 12 years ago. Everybody in the village loves it. The old people in the village come and sit on the bench below it and the children have picnics near the pond there.”
Local Conservative councillor Tom Stowe, who represents the Campden and Vale ward at Cotswold District Council, intervened and helped save the tree. He said it was astonishing that Bromford Housing thought it could turn up unannounced and cut down the tree.
The cedar is a much-loved historic local landmark, which stood there long before the houses that now surround it were built and lent its name to Cedar Road, he added.
“You would think it was common courtesy to consult with the local parish council and residents to whom this tree is so important. Luckily local residents were quick to react and intervene, and put a halt to the works. Thankfully the Bromford representative who I met on site understood the huge level of public concern, we negotiated a temporary reprieve and he assured me that no further works would take place until the parish council and I had been consulted.
“In the meantime I have been in discussion with Cotswold District Council tree officers, who have visited the site and inspected the tree. Officers are currently processing a tree preservation order to this magnificent cedar tree. I will continue to do everything possible and work alongside local residents to ‘save our cedar.’”
Dave Grinter, associate director of localities at Bromford, said the decision to fell the tree was based on an independent inspection report which found fungal decay in the roots of the tree, which potentially makes it unsafe.
“Although there is no tree preservation order on the tree, we do understand residents’ concerns at our decision,” he said.
“In light of their comments, we have agreed to carry out another independent inspection of the tree in the next few weeks and will use the results of this to determine the future of the tree.”
It’s a beautiful tree. I think it’s around 150 years old. It’s one of the reasons I bought the house 12 years ago Sarah Stinchcombe