A council that declared a climate emergency in a bid to ‘recover’ nature has been forced to apologise after they felled a historic lime tree.
The tree was the largest of a cluster of evergreens which are believed to have lined a leafy street in Dorchester, Dorset, for more than 100 years.
However, the 80ft tall tree’s roots were terminally damaged during trenching works to lower electricity cables underground, despite workers using ‘specialist equipment’.
An arboricultural assessment revealed the tree was no longer ‘structurally sound’ and therefore needed to be removed for ‘safety reasons’, leaving local residents ‘deeply disappointed’.
Sadness has since turned to outrage with questions being raised about why the climate conscious council – which is run by the Liberal Democrats with support from the Green Party – did not make sure work around the root was done by hand to minimise damage.
Les Fry, an independent local councillor, said: ‘I know that Dorset Council has been critical of others for not digging close to trees by hand before so why do we not do as we say?’
Dorset Council declared a nature and climate emergency to great fanfare in 2024 with policies to protect trees as part of their ‘nature recovery’.
Upset local residents took to social media to express their dismay at the loss of the lime tree.
Pictured right: The historic lime tree before it was felled. The tree was the largest of a cluster of evergreens which are believed to have lined a leafy street in Dorchester, Dorset, for over 100 years
The tree after it was chopped down. The 80ft tall tree’s roots were terminally damaged during trenching works to lower electricity cables underground despite workers using ‘specialist equipment’
Christopher Bates said: ‘This is criminally negligent, they should always seek professional advice before risking destroying trees.’
Chris Robinson said: ‘Should get specialist contractors in for this type of work.
‘It would be interesting to see if a member of the public were to be prosecuted for tree damage and used the standard council excuse of ‘we’re sorry’ to avoid a fine.
‘Don’t hold yer breath – there’s one law for those well paid b****** and a totally different on for us.’
Shelly Reece said: ‘It does not have to be felled. It’s just the cheaper option.
‘Those who damaged it should pay to have it moved. You can wrap the roots and move it.
‘It’s not cheap but a 100+ year old tree can’t be replaced…once it’s cut it’s gone forever.’
Tom Reid said: ‘Why do the council get away with this? If anyone else did it they would be in big trouble.’
Tree surgeons on the street in Dorchester at the time of the incident. Questions have been raised about why the climate conscious council did not make sure work around the root was done by hand to minimise damage
Dorset Council said the mishap occurred while a trenching route was being adjusted around the lime tree to avoid a gas main over the Easter holidays.
The works were part of preparations for a new pedestrian crossing to be installed on the road to serve two nearby schools.
They said they will replace the tree at ‘the earliest opportunity’.
A statement from Dorset Council said: ‘As part of these preparations, electricity cables needed to be lowered underground.
‘During these works, carried out over the Easter break, a trenching route had to be adjusted around one of the Lime trees to avoid a gas main.
‘Unfortunately, despite using special equipment designed to minimise disturbance, the tree’s roots were damaged during the work.
‘Following professional arboricultural advice, we have been informed that the tree is no longer structurally sound and, very regrettably, will need to be removed to ensure public safety.
‘We are very sorry that this work has led to the loss of this tree, which we will replace.
‘We are working closely with specialists to agree the most appropriate and sensitive way forward to ensure this loss is mitigated at the earliest opportunity.’
