Bid to cut down pine is labelled 'sacrilege'

CAMPAIGNERS' DISGUST AT 'ARBOREAL TERRORISM' BID

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

CAMPAIGNERS are “disgusted” at plans to cut down a 200-year-old tree which is a major feature of a Plymouth park in an act of “arboreal terrorism”.

The huge Corsican pine, in Devonport Park, was once considered so important the Pavilion Cafe was built around it 15 years ago.

But now Plymouth City Council says the tree has suffered major decay to its trunk and poses a risk to the cafe and people, being so near the cafe and a play area. It is expected to be chopped down next Wednesday, April 30.

A petition entitled Save the Tree of the Park Pavilion Cafe Devonport has already gained hundreds of signatures, but the man who started it said time is running out to save the tree.

Alan Reading has called the threat to the pine “the latest council assault upon our trees”.

He criticised the council for allowing tree felling in other areas such as Armada Way, Woolwell, and Lambhay Hill and said: “As you are probably aware, our council does not have an enviable reputation at the moment regarding our trees, and this particular tree, which they claim has 27% disease, yet is still strong and viable, is over 200 years old, and was once considered so important to the park that the cafe was actually built around it.”