Anger as Bristol City Council fells Downs elm tree
One of the last large Wych Elm trees on the Downs in Bristol has been felled.
The tree, also known as a Huntington Elm, used to stand along Ladies Mile and was cut down by the city council this week.
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Members of pressure group Bristol Downs Watch, which opposes plans to redesign the landscape of the Avon Gorge and Downs, say they are outraged by the move and believe the tree was felled on health and safety grounds.
The council says the tree was diseased.
"The council claims that the tree had Dutch Elm disease but there was no obvious sign of die-back on the leaves this summer," said Roger Yates, who leads Downs Watch.
"If the tree had died there would then be a reason to cut it down.
"This is yet another example of health and safety gone mad.
"The more so because elm trees can resist and recover from some measure of Dutch Elm Disease.
"It is highly disputable that this tree was a danger and was about to fall."
Fellow Downs Watch member Dr John Maher said: "This Wych Elm dates back over a 150 years to before the Downs were given to the people of Bristol – I have counted the tree rings.
"A historic tree such as this should not be removed on spurious health and safety grounds."
Bristol City Council said: "The Huntingdon's Elm had Dutch Elm disease and it had to come down or the single remaining elm on the Downs would certainly have become diseased.
"Sadly, there are only now only three Huntingdon's Elms left in our city following the onslaught of Dutch Elm disease, which has destroyed the vast majority of these beautiful trees throughout the UK.
"The good news is that a new disease-resistant elm is now available, which the council is already planting.
"These can be seen at Whitefriars in the centre, St George's Park and the Downs, as well as one or two other sites in the city."
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by Tony, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 2:15PM
“Where are the other Wych Elms? I'd like to photograph them before they are also felled.”
by Doug, Bristol
Monday, September 29 2008, 12:38PM
“Someone on my street had a flowering cherry felled this year. She had to apply for planning permission and a notice of the plan was put on a lamp post.
Surely this is the procedure the council should follow.
I know many of the Downs regulars feel a deep sense of loss, helplessness and anger to find an old friend cut down and chopped up with no warning.”
by Gavin, Brizzle
Thursday, September 18 2008, 11:46PM
“Any tree could fall on somebody's head; is that a reason to cut all trees down?”
by Ron, Bristol
Thursday, September 18 2008, 3:16PM
“I was chatting to a friend who works in the Council and he knows as a matter of fact that the reason a lot of trees are being cut down is purely to get rid of the maintenance costs so that might explain all this.”
by Bill Strike, Bristol
Thursday, September 18 2008, 2:26PM
“And don't start up with the sodding lamp-posts again. Who cares about a lamp-post, have a pint and chill-out!”
by Bill Strike, Bristol
Thursday, September 18 2008, 2:24PM
“If a tree can fall on someone's head, then chop it down!
What's so hard to understand about that?”
by Andrew H, Stapleton
Thursday, September 18 2008, 11:15AM
“So then Mike B, if the City Council gives a reason for it's actions, people just have to sit back and agree? Yes it is good they are planting more trees around Bristol but I think it's fantastic people speak out about these sorts of issues. We must not take everything we are told by Councils and Government at face value. Concern over environmental and social issues make people busybodies does it?... Thank goodness for these people. If people did not speak out and challenge things, I think everyone's life would be very different today.”
by Mike B, Central Bristol
Thursday, September 18 2008, 10:05AM
“People will compalin about "anything" these days. It seems we've become a nation of busybodies ..... The Council had valid reasons for cutting down the Tree, but the "busybodies" just don't want to listen, or to what the Council wish to do to make amends for the felling of the Tree ..... The last lines of the artcile are positive news and illustate that the Council are more than compensating for the loss of this Tree .... Quote from the article .... ""The good news is that a new disease-resistant elm is now available, which the council is already planting. These can be seen at Whitefriars, St George's Park and the Downs, as well as one or two other sites in the city." :-)”
by gerry, bristol
Thursday, September 18 2008, 9:16AM
“Having worked as a tree surgeon I am sure no tree is cut down without reason.”
by dave, BRIZ
Thursday, September 18 2008, 8:11AM
“perhaps they are being replanted in clifton like the lamp posts”