The well-known Umbrella Tree in East Cowes has been given a clean bill of health by a professional tree surgeon, despite claims that the tree is fungus-ridden and a danger to the public.
Earlier this month it was revealed that Isle of Wight Council/Island Roads is planning to remove the weeping ash tree at the corner of York Avenue and Clarence Road, replacing it with a 3ft birch instead.
It’s said that the tree is infected with fungus and dangerous, but a report carried out by a former English Heritage tree surgeon says otherwise. In fact he goes as far to say that the tree does not appear to pose any immediate danger to the public.
The report, which has been carried out by Peter Abraham, says:
“I noticed on the north facing trunk about 8-10 feet above the ground the remains of an old bracket fungus ‘Ganoderma Lucidium’. This was on an old open wound of the tree and did not give any major concern to the condition of the tree and the fungus is also very old and spent.
“I then checked the condition of the trunk of the tree all around and it appeared to be solid and sound. The bark of the tree was also in very good condition. I would have expected the bark to be peeling off if there was any suggestion of honey fungus ‘Armillaria Mellea’. I could not find any signs of Rhizomorphs which would be the indication of honey fungus at this time of year. I also checked the ground around the tree and again there were no signs.
“I then went into the crown of the tree and again there had been suggestions made of die –back. The twigs which were dead or dying were under the base of the crown and during the summer months when the tree is in full leaf, the twigs under the crown are blocked from the light and this is a natural reaction to trees of this nature.
“One other fungus I found was on a north facing limb approximately 4” diameter where the top of the branch had been damaged and a fungus- King Alfred’s Cakes ‘Daldinia Concentrica’ was growing. This fungus only grows on dead wood and so will not attack the living parts of the tree”.
Article continues below this advertisement
Mr Abraham estimates that the tree is more than 112-years-old.
The Isle of Wight Council have previously said:
“There will be no works on the tree until such time as the council has properly assessed the application for works from Island Roads, together with any proposals put forward by the local community with regard to the tree and any professional reports that the council requires to inform any decision.”
