Plea for council to carry out further rot checks before felling treasured willow

A plea has been made for the council to postpone the felling of a treasured willow tree until further tests are carried out on the extent of a rot issue.

The majestic tree has stood on the corner of York Avenue and York Road, Windsor, for almost 100 years.

But it now looks set to be cut down due to an ongoing issue of rot and the discovery of a wood decay fungi, known as Chicken of the Woods, on the tree.

The towering willow has been subject to a tree preservation order from the council in recent years which has seen it ‘fantastically’ maintained and protected by the borough.

But the appearance of fungi on the trunk of the tree led to the council issuing a felling order last month.

The willow is currently scheduled to be scythed down on Monday, July 28.

Nearby residents told the Express they have been pleading with the borough to complete an ultrasound on the tree to understand the extent of the rot issue before cutting it down.

Helen Gregory-Osborne, who has lived in York Avenue for 40 years, said: “We’re not saying there is no rot, clearly there has been evidence of rot.

“We’re saying, can we have an ultrasound to determine how much rot and whether this is dangerous.

“It’s a landmark.

“It’s been there nearly 100 years. Our neighbours have lived there for 67 years and walked past that tree every day.”

Residents have been involved in back-and-forth with the council’s tree officers over the prospect of organising an ultrasound.

But Helen said their requests have been refused due to the potential cost.

Residents raised the £375 needed for the tree health check and booked an independent arborist to inspect the tree.

But they have been unable to secure council permission for an ultrasound to be carried out by a third party.

Helen said: “We’re not even asking them to spend any money. What is it about if we’re not allowed to do it?

“The council has said they will replace this 100-year-old tree with a tulip sapling. That’s all well and good but we’re all going to be dead and gone by the time that one flourishes.”

She added: “This is just one of many trees that are being cut down at the moment.

“This isn’t just a Windsor issue, it’s a national issue and a global issue. There’s a far bigger picture – not just for us but for generations to come.”

A spokesman for Windsor and Maidenhead council said: “The safety of our residents is paramount. While it is disappointing to remove a tree that is a focal point and appreciated by local residents, the tree has significant and progressive decay and presents a high safety risk.

“We plan to replace the tree with a similar species in the same place as per our statutory duty and this will be carried out next winter.”