Chestnut tree in Bushey could be saved from being felled

The tree in Finch Lane in Bushey is set to be felled because Hertfordshire County Council says it is blocking a pavement.

The tree was meant to be cut last week but was unintentionally given a stay of execution after a tree surgeon identified the wrong tree to come down.

Fortunately, the felling of the nearby oak was stopped before the whole tree was destroyed – but the fight to save the chestnut tree still needs to be won.

In a potential reprieve for the tree, the trustees of Bushey Manor Field, which runs alongside the chestnut tree, have over the weekend unanimously agreed to try and come up with a solution to save it.

The chestnut tree, which is earmarked to be felled is circled. Photo taken from Bushey Manor Field. Credit: Stephen Danzig/Watford Observer Camera Club

Bushey North county councillor Laurence Brass, who is also a trustee at Bushey Manor Field, says he accepts the tree is currently blocking access, but says it would be a "great shame" for "such an old, healthy tree" to be taken down.

Cllr Brass says he and his fellow trustees are proposing to move their boundary fence in Finch Lane back a maximum of seven foot, where the tree lies.

The chestnut tree is restricting access on the pavement. Credit: Laurence Brass. The proposal is to move the fence, shown on the right, by the tree to create a wider space. Credit: Laurence Brass

He says once the fence has been moved, the council can use the land given up to create a new wider pavement for the use of pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Cllr Brass says the trust would look for the council to pay for the costs to move the fence, but says this solution would be cheaper than pulling down the whole tree. There are potentially some legalities that may need to be sorted as well.

He said: "I believe that the generous action of the Bushey Manor Field Trust in donating this section of land to the county council will inevitably mean that money will be saved because the tree can be saved and the importance of maintaining trees in situ will be preserved."

This drawing shows in red where the fence line could be curved to create new space for pedestrians. Credit: Cllr Laurence Brass

Cllr Brass has sent the proposal to the county council and is now waiting for a response.

The councillor, who was elected in May, says he was unaware of the need to fell the chestnut tree, while he worked quickly with residents to save the 150-year-old oak tree in Finch Lane which was nearly destroyed last week in error.

Cllr Brass understands there will be an investigation into how and why the wrong tree almost came down.

See more: Healthy oak tree in Bushey saved from being mistakenly felled

This oak tree on the corner of Finch Lane and The Avenue was almost completely felled in error. Pictured is the tree last week. Credit: Cllr Laurence Brass

Last week, a spokesperson for the council said: "We need to remove a tree which is blocking the pavement on Finch Lane, but unfortunately due to a miscommunication between our highways team and the tree surgeons, some work was mistakenly done to another oak tree further down the road.

"We’d like to apologise for this mix up and assure residents that the tree will grow back and that the cost of this work will not be passed on to the council.

"The work to remove the tree that does need removing will take place at a later date."

Finch Lane resident Bob Morton, left, and Cllr Laurence Brass, by the oak tree after it was saved from destruction. Credit: Bushey Liberal Democrats