The large trees outside the home of the Isle of Wight Council are to be chopped down after suffering from decay for the last 4 years, but they will be replaced next year.
In recent months, fencing has been erected around the 3 large trees outside the main reception area of County Hall to ensure public safety.
The trees, on Newport High Street, have been identified as decaying since as early as 2018.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has now confirmed, following regular inspection, their conditions have continued to decline — so much so they now need to be removed.
The easternmost tree, immediately outside reception, has significantly weakened, they said, to the point where the council must take action now to ensure public safety by removing the potential danger, which must be its top priority.
The council says the other 2 have also reached the end of their lives.
The spokesperson said:
“All three will be replaced in the spring with young trees of a species more suited to the location and our changing climate.”
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The council will also be installing interpretation boards about the trees and how they help tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions.
Elsewhere, the authority will be planting 85 tree whips at Seaclose Park increasing the area covered by the Millennium Wood.
Sounds good getting rid of dead wood, maybe look at the dead wood within Co unty hall too !. Should cost no more than around £350/£400 1/2 days work, if more ? Why.
What a shame as the trees help to disguise what is a very ugly building. Do they really need to come down?
The trees, on Newport High Street, have been identified as decaying since as early as 2018.
i would think that you could say the same about the councillors in the offices behind the trees.
Despite suffering from decay, the trees have done more work to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and put oxygen back in, than all the efforts that the council have probably done.
Make sure they are replaced by a variety that can put up with traffic pollution
Its the council we are fearful of not the trees…
Just close the windows , stop all that polluting hot air escaping.
How bloody ridiculous. Get rid of all the dead wood inside county hall, pull it down and put a large garden in its place to attract people.