A historic Weeping Beech tree, located in Newport’s Church Litten, is to be cut down amid safety concerns.
The existing Weeping Beech tree, now over 120 years old, has been deemed no longer structurally safe. In recent months, the tree has lost a major crown limb, exposing decay in its main stem.
Following an internal inspection by a qualified arboriculture consultant, the Isle of Wight Council was advised that the tree has extensive internal decay and needs to be removed before further failure occurs.
The tree, located in a very busy public park, is within falling distance of a major road.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Newport councillor and cabinet member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure, says:
“The Weeping Beech is a much-loved part of Newport, and we understand that local residents will be shocked and disappointed to hear of its removal.
“Therefore, we are doing all we can to preserve its genetic code, working with Ventnor Botanic Gardens by taking cuttings and grafting them onto understock.
“The intention is for any successful grafted plants to be made available for planting in Newport in the future.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The cuttings will be taken by Ventnor Botanic Gardens over the next few weeks.
Ventnor Botanic Gardens has also sourced a specimen replacement Weeping Beech tree, funded by the Isle of Wight Council with UK Government Shared Prosperity funding. This new tree will be located in the same position as the original tree, and further information will be provided when a programme of works has been confirmed.
Shaping Newport plan to arrange a community gathering to acknowledge the departure of the old tree and welcome the new one.
A digital memorial of the tree will be created to collect people’s stories and memories of the tree. Islanders are being asked to send their memories and photos to [email protected].
Put the limb on display so people can make up their own mind.
Make up their own mind about what? The decisiion has been made to fell the tree on the basis of expert advice because it is unsafe. It is sad to lose such an old tree but living things have a life cycle and this tree has reached the end of its cycle. Better to fell it safely than wait for it to fall down, possibly causing injury or even death in the process.