Council officials have claimed they had “no choice” but to fell one of Ashby’s “most beautiful” trees. Bosses said they were forced to act after the tree became “dangerous”.
The common beech tree, in Ashby’s Bath Grounds, was felled on Wednesday (January 8) after a fungal infection had led to it becoming diseased. The problem had been first identified five years ago in 2020.
Officials on Ashby Town Council said they had continued to monitor the tree in the intervening years, but were left with “no choice” but to fell it now. The council said the infection had caused the beech tree to suffer from basal and root decay.
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The diseased tree had began to decay
(Image: Ashby Town Council)
In a statement, the council said that despite their best efforts the tree was still diseased. Ashby Town Council said that due to the tree’s position, close to a footpath near the town’s bowls club, they were left with no choice but to cut it down “from a safety point of view”.
The decision has been met with sadness by many online. One had called the tree the “most beautiful” tree in Ashby. Another claimed that alongside the tree it was their “childhood being felled” too.
Despite the felling, Ashby Town Council said there were positives to the news. It revealed the beech tree will be replaced by a further 19 semi-mature trees which will be planted in the park over the next year.
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