Sad news indeed when a magnificent elder tree will be felled and taken out of the famililar skyline as we walk up or down Station Road. The Magnolia copper beech will be felled due to being colonised by Meripilus Giganteus. Meripilus causes aggressive white rot of the roots and basal area which in turn significantly increases the risk of whole tree failure.
Indeed as we ended our Heritage Tree Walks this year we noticed that the beech is displaying a very sparse crown with small leaves. This is clealy seen with the comparison of photographs taken this year and 2 years ago at exactly the same time of year – see photos below
East Suffolk have received exemption notice to by pass Conservation Area protocol, due to the potential danger of this tree.
The landowner is incredibly sad and upset about the loss of this much loved tree.
A number of trees will be cut down as part of the Campus project, in order to widen westward to allow for a two way access to the site at the entrance to what will be the 3G football pitch. The reference for the planning application is DC/21/0007/FUL . (January 2021). As a tree warden I was alerted by a number of members of the public and so address this issue to HTC and clerks so they are savvy to it.
Four oaks, one lime and one silver birch. All the trees are relatively young, perhaps 25 years. The oaks are mainly not in magnificent health, planted far too close together to survive successfully and and have been trimed over time, loosing their main leader. In summary while they are not ‘important’ or veteran trees they do amount to roughly 100 accumulative years in BNG (assuming 25 years each). I understand mitigation is planned. I therefor support his felling.
Hammonds / Lidl oaks
Are they in jeopardy? Non have preservation orders. Rachel has contacted Richard Fox concerned about protecting the Oaks – along the Norwich road and on Hammonds land. Richard Fox has confirmed that he is keeping his eye on them.
