Mature oak tree chopped down in 'error' as part of large scale felling to combat 'spontaneous collapse' timber disease at Horndean nature spot

Locals had raised concerns after witnessing dozens of ash trees being felled at Catherington Lith Local Nature Reserve despite the bird nesting season being in full swing.

But the drastic approach to remove up to 200 trees has been taken due to fears ‘people could get killed’ by ‘spontaneously collapsing’ wood.

Horndean Parish Council, which manages the beauty spot, revealed it had to make the ‘tough decision’ to remove trees after most had become infected with a deadly Asian disease known as ash dieback, which could set the UK economy back £15b.

The work, carried out by Liss-based DNB Tree Surgery, has cost £29,000 with felling starting last month and is expected to be completed in July.

East Hampshire District Council and the Forestry Commission were consulted over the project.

Ash dieback has also led to tree felling at the nearby Queen’s Inclosure, off Park Lane in Waterlooville, by Forestry England.

Speaking on the felling at Catherington Lith, Lynn Evans, chairman of Horndean parish council, said: ‘If the trees are not dealt with there is a risk of spontaneous collapse, presenting an immediate danger to the surrounding area and people who may be walking amongst them.

‘We cannot guarantee if the trees are safe so have had to remove trees badly affected. We don’t want big lumps falling and people getting killed. We have to put public safety first.

‘Once the trees have the disease there is not much we can do about it. No one would have chosen to do the work if we didn’t have to but we have to deal with the problem.’

Commenting on the felled oak tree, the Ms Evans said: ‘It was felled in error. Everyone makes mistakes.’

The 65-year-old oak tree is still at the location, Ms Evans said.

A resident, fuming about the accidental removal of the tree, said: ‘How can you accidentally chop down a mature oak tree? It is totally different to an ash tree. It is so incompetent.

‘You’re talking about a tree that is very valuable.’

Ms Evans said work had to be carried out when it was safe for tree surgeons - with dry conditions better.

‘Some people have said we could have held off until after nesting season but then we could have fallen back into the bad weather (after the summer) and we would not be able to do it until next spring,’ she said.

‘It cannot be stressed enough the danger that felling ash trees poses to our contractors.

‘The risks posed to the operators and machinery from slipping when working on a wet, steep slope was too high, and the risk of leaving dead and dangerous trees above footpaths, roads and residential properties for the next five months months was also something we could not risk.’

With birds and bats in the forest Ms Evans said ‘our tree contractors are carrying out inspections of the trees before felling is taking place’.

The disease, which was first noticed on the site four years ago, sees fungus growing inside the tree, eventually blocking its water transport systems before causing it to die - with trees becoming so brittle they collapse.

It is thought the disease could kill 95 per cent of UK ash trees.

A variety of trees are being replanted at the site to avoid a similar situation in future where one batch is largely wiped out.

A spokesman for East Hampshire District Council said: ‘We are aware of the work and that many ash trees on the site have been badly affected by ash dieback.

‘We are informed that the work is in line with the UK Forestry Standard by the Forestry Commission, which is the deciding authority in these cases.’

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: ‘Since ash dieback was first detected in the UK, Defra and the Forestry Commission have been working closely with landowners, woodland managers and local authorities to help assess and manage its impacts.

‘We will continue to do everything we can to protect our trees from pests and diseases which in some cases involves removing ash trees with dieback that pose a risk to public safety.’

The spokesperson added: ‘The felled oak tree was not of licensable volume and therefore did not breach forestry regulations. Any further action would be a matter for the local authority.’

A spokeswoman for Forestry England, responding to concerns over felling at Queen’s Inclosure where a tree was left on the ground, said: ‘This is an area that is suffering from significant ash dieback disease.

‘Earlier in the year, we carried out our annual inspection of the woodland, including the boundary area which is close to properties and a public right of way.

‘A number of trees here were found to be suffering from ash dieback and for health and safety reasons (due to their proximity to houses and the right of way) they were identified for removal.

‘This work was recently carried out at the site. At that time a tree recently blown over by the wind was found across the path and this was removed.’

Replanting of the site will take place in the autumn and winter this year and will be native, broadleaf tree species.

DNB Tree surgery was approached for comment.

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