A tree that has survived 2 World Wars is in danger of being removed if money for a new frame cannot be raised.
After it was saved from being felled last year, there is now a renewed appeal to the save the Umbrella Tree in East Cowes once again from the chopping block, in the form of a fundraiser for a new safety frame to prevent passers by being hurt by falling branches.
Friends of the East Cowes Umbrella Tree said last year while celebrating the preservation of the tree, plans for a new supporting frame was being drawn up.
Since then, plans have been created by The Forge, in Whippingham, but not progressed due to specification and cost issues.
In the fundraiser description — which can be found here along with a place to donate: gofundme.com/f/umbrella-tree — it says to save the tree ‘Island Roads insists a new metal frame is made to support it at a cost of £5,000’.
However, Island Roads has said no official quote for the work has been given by it, with all the advice it has given so far free of charge.
Friends member Chris Gutteridge, the great-grandson of Queen Victoria’s road foreman who first planted the tree, is fighting to save the tree again. He said:
“We need to have a new frame with footings in the ground. If we don’t the tree will come down — so we have to find the money. We thought we were past this.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is the only umbrella tree left on the Island and it is unique to the town. It blooms every year and it is beautiful.
“When I was a kid, my mum and dad were proud to tell me about the fact that our family planted it and I don’t want to see it go.”
Chris says although both his parents have now passed away, he feels the tree helps keep their memory alive.
Since December last year, the tree is no longer the responsibility of Island Roads — with the Friends and the Isle of Wight Council taking over maintenance and care, including the installation and maintenance of the new supporting frame.
A spokesperson for Island Roads said:
“Several inspections by experts have, unfortunately, found the tree has an incurable and progressive fungal infection that means it is dying and therefore a safety risk.
“Though the tree is not now the responsibility of Island Roads, we have, in order to assist the local community, previously given free structural engineering advice on the issues that will need to be considered in designing and installing the frame.
“Although we have previously supplied indications of possible costs involved, we have not been asked to formally quote for the work nor have we requested any payment.
“Though the solution will need to be safe and have all the necessary consents and agreements in place, those behind the project are free to obtain quotes from whoever they wish for the installation.
“We continue to provide engineering and technical advice free of charge and wish the community all the best in its efforts to identify a solution.”
The Isle of Wight Council has declined to comment.
£5k.!!!! Has Whippingham forge given a quote?
‘the tree is not now the responsibility of Island Roads’ ‘Island Roads insist’
Two rather incompatible statements ?
If it really is dying why spend money propping it up. I suspect that it has many years left.
A tree in Church Litten was removed last year. ‘Experts’ said it had to come down due to a fungus.
The fungus was of a type that the tree would, quite happily, have lived with.
The fifth richest nation on Earth, cannot afford what it could in the war. Why can’t we fund this, or to keep WC’s, Libraries, etc open now?
It is merely a coincidence that since we have allowed in the world’s impoverished here in huge numbers, who then have huge families that we have to fund for education, health, housing etc that there is now no money left for even the basics for the British people?
All our MP’s have let us down badly.
Well said
I will donate as a citizen of East Cowes, I think all that can afford to donate really should as East Cowes Community combined effort
Some one do a go fund me id glady put toward the new frame
Majoroak in sherwood forest as been propt up for a very long time funded by there caring council
Shame the IW council can’t do the same
Chris & Bev- Friends of the umbrella tree
We have always said that we have not yet been given an exact costing. We asked our structural engineer to speak to Island Roads structural engineer and he sent our man a provisional plan dated 2018 and between them they came up with the approximate cost of in the region of £5000.00. We are still hoping to work out a finalised plan and estimate once we have spoken to Island Roads and discover what they require for health and safety. Once we have this we can go ahead with the help of the Forge to carry out the work.
We hoped that the existing frame was strong enough for the Forge to build from and support the branches from this. We will speak to Island Roads next week and find out if this is an option. This may require a site visit. Please see please see our website for updated news
This is sheer vindictiveness by IR/IWC.
You would think as the council have just bought wight shipyard they could get them to build them a frame from ally
Or get students from the Tech college metal work dept to do the work for free for practice. Hardly rocket science, welding a few lumps of angle iron together.