A LEADING arboriculturist has condemned a decision to fell a beech tree which he claims is one of the best of its species in the area.

However, the owners of the woods where the popular beech stands say it has to come down because it is too closely connected to a wall that has been judged to be dangerous and in urgent need of maintenance work.

The row was sparked earlier this year when it emerged that the beech in Arnside's Ashmeadow woods was due to be axed following safety fears.

The latest news that the tree was definitely to be felled as quickly as possible has angered arboricultural consultant Bruce Hatton, who is chairman of the Arboricultural Association and has produced a report on the beech.

"They are still adamant they want to get this tree down, and it flies in the face of the fact it's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the tree is a major amenity and isn't threatening anything.

"The tree doesn't rely on the wall for stability and it was there long before the wall was built. The tree is one of the best beech trees in the area, it's extremely visible from a long way away, it's healthy and it's certainly something that's worthy of a tree preservation order."

A building control team from South Lakeland District Council inspected the wall between Ashmeadow and a neighbouring property and judged it to be a "dangerous structure" in need of rebuilding or repair.

Development control manager Peter Ridgway said it was impossible to guarantee that if the wall was taken down that the adjacent bank would stay in place, and this would put the tree at risk. Consequently the council had decided not to impose a

tree preservation order on the beech.

Paul Davies, who is solicitor for the trustees of the John Barnes Trust, which owns Ashmeadow woods, said that the dangerous structure notice on the wall had unfortunately taken things out of their hands. The tree would have to come down because it was so intertwined with the wall, and was a danger to adjoining properties and people using the woods.

"Everyone agrees it is with great regret because it's a lovely tree and everyone who looks at it is genuinely upset it's got to come down," he said.

Residents who walk in the woods felt so strongly about keeping the tree that they collected £600 of pledges to pay for remedial work. Campaigner Gina Murphy said she hoped some good would come out of their action because the wood's owners would appreciate the local strength of feeling.

April 24, 2003 15:30