Outrage as beautiful oak tree could be felled

‘Property damage’ is the reason given for the removal of a much-loved tree in Ashley Down.

The notice of tree felling from Bristol City Council pinned to the tree is dated January 25, with 14 days from that date available to comment and potentially save the beautiful holm oak.

Closer inspection reveals that the property damage appears to be to a low wall on the corner of Ashley Down Road and Stoney Lane.

On Thursday, Bristol Tree Forum wrote to Bristol City Council requesting that they place an Emergency Tree Preservation Order on the tree.

Bristol Tree Forum are asking the council to protect the tree from the council, calling its possible felling a “frankly unbelievable decision”.

The threatened tree is one of three mature evergreen trees – thought to be around 100 years old – which grow on the site on Ashley Down Road – photo: Martin Booth

The notice on the tree does not say what damage to property it is causing.

Bristol Tree Forum’s letter says that it is too far away from nearby buildings for its roots to interfere with their foundations so their conclusion is that ‘property’ refers to a short section of wall that is being displaced as the tree grows.

“It is clear from its construction that the wall is more recent than the walls it adjoins (to which is has not been tied) and looks like an earlier, failed attempt to deal with the constantly expanding tree.

“We calculate that the CAVAT value of this tree is at least £110,553. It is hard to imagine that the cost of rebuilding this rather badly constructed section of wall will cost anything like this, in which case, rebuilding the wall would offer a better costs/benefit solution than felling the tree would.”

Cracks in a small wall next to the threatened tree – photo: Martin Booth

Bristol Tree Forum note in their letter to the city council that when a wall was constructed close to the neighbouring Holm Oak, a gap with railings was inserted, “no doubt to accommodate the tree as it grew”.

They added: “We see no reason why the something similar cannot be done in this case.”

A stretch of the same wall next to another holm oak has a gap in it to accommodate the tree – photo: Martin Booth

Michael Lloyd-Jones, 33, a father-of-one from St Werburgh’s, regularly walks by the tree and called the decision to topple it “completely ridiculous”.

He said: “Trees are crucial to solving the climate and ecological emergency, which threatens all life on the planet, and we have less than ten years to turn around.

“That means protecting these large established ancient trees as well as planting and rewilding new ones.

“I can’t believe that someone would try and chop down this tree just because it’s causing minor damage to a small wall, harming no one.

“This tree supports precious wildlife like pipistrelle bats, sparrowhawks and jays, reduces air and noise pollution from a busy road, and creates precious shade in the summer. Just fix the wall!

“If Bristol City Council are serious about the climate and ecological emergency, they need to make it much harder to chop down trees. This is basic stuff.”

The holm oak tree scheduled for felling is on the corner of Ashley Down Road and Stoney Lane, in the grounds of Down View – photo: Martin Booth

The notice of the decision to fell the tree is stapled to its base – photo: Martin Booth

Bristol City Council have been approached for comment.

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UPDATE: January 29, 3pm
Bristol City Council have said that the felling of the tree is “unavoidable”. Read their full statement here.

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To comment on the tree felling notice, visit www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/comment-on-a-tree-felling-notice quoting site name Down View Flats and tree number 100013.

Main photo: Martin Booth

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