Ancient Horse Chestnut in St Mary's Church Grounds Felled

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Council say popular South Ealing tree had to be removed for safety reasons

Neighbours living near St Mary's Church in South Ealing have been saddened after a horse chestnut tree in the graveyard was chopped down.

Julia Perry said she was shocked when she returned home at the weekend to see the tree was no more and wanted to know if the destruction was really necessary. She says:

''The tree was absolutely beautiful and a real hot spot for lots of birds, wood peckers, parrots etc. My house looks out into that tree and I am so upset to see it’s gone.''

Reverend Steve Paynter from St Mary's said it had been dead for over a year and was considered dangerous and the council deemed action was urgently needed.

 

A spokesman from Ealing Council said, ''The Horse Chestnut tree was removed by Ealing Council contractors working in partnership with the Church. The tree was dying and heavily decayed and therefore its removal was exempt from Tree Preservation Order legislation. The controlled removal by the council contractor was arranged to prevent the tree from failing unexpectedly''.

20 March 2018