Thanks for you support whizz.
I've sent a letter of just now as I'll not be able to communicate after tomorrow.
14.01.08.
Dear Mr. Dracup,
I tried to speak to you today (14th January 2008) regarding the felling of a Horse Chestnut tree on the boundary of mine and my neighbours property, (*) but I believe you were in a meeting at the time.
The tree stands at between 30 and 40 feet tall and is obviously of a great age.
When we bought our house on the corner of , 4 years ago, the tree was the most attractive feature in our immediate vicinity and played a large part in our choosing this house.
We believe that the tree is a great asset to the area as there are very few of this type or size in the locality. It provides habitat for many birds and insects in an area that that is lacking in such and is rife with predators (cats). The tree is outstandingly beautiful when if full leaf.
We spoke to the former residents here and at the property in which the tree stands () and both parties assured us that there was a preservation order on the tree. They were aware of this because at one time they had applied to have it removed and were not able to do so due to a TPO.
My neighbour (Mr.Tree Killing Bastard) is planning to fell the tree and pour diesel on the stump to kill it.
So, a few questions I would have like answered had I been able to chat to you today-
If there was, historically, a TPO on this tree, why is there not one now?
When would a TPO be removed and why?
When was this tree assessed physically to see if it warranted a TPO and on what grounds was a TPO not awarded?
What would be required in order for a TPO to be awarded? ( i.e. age, type, location of tree?)
I have a friend, living in a much more rural, leafy location in *, who has a large tree in his garden. He has applied several times to have this tree felled and has been repeatedly refused, as the tree is protected. It is a mountain ash, far more common, I would have thought, than a 150 year old Horse Chestnut growing in the city centre.
I can?t understand why the tree in a location awash with all manner of other trees is protected and ?ours? is permitted to be chopped down when it provides so much pleasure to so many people living in an otherwise dull, urban environment.
I?m also aware of bleeding canker, a widespread disease affecting 35-50,000 Horse Chestnuts in the country at this time. Surely when this tree is being felled in great numbers throughout the country due to disease, healthy specimens should be preserved?
If the tree is to be felled, I have great concerns over Health and Safety owing to the position of the tree, within a very short distance of my house and over a very busy road junction. Do you have regulations in place to ensure the felling is done without danger to property and/or person? Will a council representative be supervising the tree?s destruction?
I am going on holiday tomorrow (15th January) for two weeks and am worried that I?ll return to find the deed already done without any investigation as to whether it should be permitted or not.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my issues and would be very grateful if you would give them your best consideration.
Yours Sincerely Tree Hugger
Obviously I've removed names and addresses and inserted more appropriate aliases to protect all concerned.