Windsor Residents Act to Save Ancient Tree

More than 100 residents gathered in St. Leonard's Road this week to protest council plans to cut down a 200 year old cedar tree.

The large old tree is well known in the area and cuts a striking presence on the street, but the RBWM Council say it is damaging nearby homes.

A tree of this size can absorb gallons of water a day from the ground via its extensive root system, and this can lead to extremely damaging subsidence, particularly during dry periods.

Windsor Council said damage to the properties could lead to repairs costing up to £150,000 in underpinning and a cheaper solution was to fell the tree. A notice appeared on the tree informing residents it was due to be removed after causing cracks in neighbouring homes.

But residents rallied round and staged a protest against the plans. Following a meeting at the Council plans to remove the tree have been withdrawn.

One campaigner - Roger Cullingham - was quoted by the BBC saying, "The tree has been there since 1795. The tree comes first and the expense is secondary." Mr. Cullingham said that Foresty Commission experts had said they didn't believe the tree to be the only thing causing the damage to properties.

This is the third time the tree has been saved. In 1898 and again in 1903 there were moves to fell it, but residents pooled resources to buy it.

For more information you can read the RBWM consultation on the tree here. Guy Cunningham has set up a campaign to save the tree on his forum here.