300-year-old tree saved from chop
Published 15 Aug 2012 09:30
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A 300-YEAR-OLD tree which has caused nearly £100,000 of damage to a Crossford home has been saved from the chop.
Councillors refused an application from land management company Greenbelt to fell the sycamore on its land at Keavil Farm Steadings, opting instead for light thinning to keep the tree in a healthy and safe condition.
The City of Dunfermline area committee agreed with officers' recommendations for a crown reduction of 25-30 per cent in proportion to the tree's original shape.
The Press previously reported that James Lightfoot has suffered £98,000 of damage to his Mochrum Drive home after it was hit by falling branches twice last year.
Mr Lightfoot (71) wanted the sycamore to be axed but conservationists had pleaded for it to be saved, as it was one of the few heritage trees in Fife and is registered on the Ancient Tree Hunt database.
Today (Wednesday) Angus Yarwood, the Woodland Trust's government affairs manager said, "We welcome the council's decision to save one of Fife's most important veteran trees.
"With light thinning of the crown it could stand for many more years.
"Because of its age and size this sycamore is one of the most important trees in the area, and there was lots of local support for keeping it.
"We objected to cutting the tree down because independent examination showed that it was unnecessary.
"Ancient trees, particularly ones in public places, often require regular management.
"It's regrettable that work was not carried out on the sycamore before a neighbouring property was damaged."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 15 Aug 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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B2theB
145 posts
Aug 15, 15:33
Report commentAnd so it should be !!
well done on making a sensible decision
Recommend?
Yes 21
No 10
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hazelkaye
316 posts
Aug 15, 16:21
Report commentIndeed - the tree has "ancient rights" as well as "length of tenure"!
Recommend? Yes 17
No 10
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hottie2
41 posts
Aug 15, 18:12
Report commentPut anti freeze round the roots of the tree
Recommend? Yes 12
No 19
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DunfermlineEast
137 posts
Aug 15, 20:54
Report comment@hottiw2: If he puts anti-freeze or the like around the tree it will die slowly then fall on his house. Not a good move....
Recommend? Yes 15
No 5
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DrewCarnegie
65 posts
Aug 15, 20:56
Report commentWhat sort of branches cause £100k of damage
Recommend? Yes 11
No 2
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lydiapot1
119 posts
Aug 16, 06:43
Report commentI applaud the Dunfermline Press for thus far resisting in printing the picture of the outgoing head of Fife Constabulary being presented with a gesture from the Provost of Fife.
How inappropriate would that be if all the local papers hailed this occasion under the present circumstances? It would be like kicking the ordinary people of Fife in the face.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 8
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SmarmyGit
320 posts
Aug 16, 13:29
Report comment^^ and that has got what to do with the tree?
Anyhoo, there you have it, democracy in action, the tree remains......
Recommend? Yes 7
No 2
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lydiapot1
119 posts
Aug 16, 20:33
Report commentWooden always springs to mind when I think of such organisations. So, the link to a tree.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 6
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MrsScottsWeeLaddie
48 posts
Aug 17, 10:02
Report commentThe Press comments are "infested" with these blinkered, control freaks / tree huggers and enviro-bore pressure groups, who can't get elected because of their crazy hippy ideals, so go on to sites like this, thinking their being righteous/ holier than though, opposing anything that anyone wants to do, from removing dangerous trees to building anything that would improve the area!
Shame on you for delighting on this guy having to put up with a dangerous old tree because of "green" politically correct nonsense. The tree will have to go eventually, if it's being flagged up by a local resident that it's causing concern and indeed damage, how crass to not allow its removal, are the powers that be and their "ecological buddies" waiting for it to fall on the guys house?
Let's hear it for Lumberjacks! Hurrah!
Recommend? Yes 9
No 6
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kaka30
311 posts
Aug 17, 10:47
Report commentAs ive said before i take the conservation of our planet seriously but if this mans house is being destroyed & passers by put in danger then the tree should go.
Now if by trimming the tree back saves the tree & prevents future damage to the property & reduces the threat to the public then everybody is a winner, problem solved.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 2
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Spoonie
12 posts
Aug 20, 04:51
Report commentThe tree has clearly been there for a much longer time than this mans house. You are usually required to declare on home insurance any trees within a certain distance of your house for this very reason & therefore this gentleman must surely have known the risk when buying the house? If proper "maintenance" of the tree solves the problem then I don't see why it should be chopped down - esp a tree of this age
Recommend? Yes 6
No 6
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