Prominent town centre tree to be chopped down as it is ‘badly decayed’

Wrexham Council have announced they have taken the decision to fell one of the most prominent trees in the town centre.

The horse chestnut tree inside the Jubilee Garden, by the Library entrance is described as ‘badly decayed’ and ‘at increased risk of snapping or being uprooted in high winds’.

The works to the tree, which is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, have been approved by the Planning Department and will be carried out over two Sundays to limit any disruption to those visiting and working nearby.

The Council have said: “We have previously pruned the tree to reduce the risk of it falling and to extend the time before the felling of the tree became necessary.”

“The tree has been monitored over several years and the decision to fell the tree has been taken in the interests of safety.”

A new tree has been planted on the green this winter and a further replacement tree will be planted next winter.

Cllr David Bithell, lead member for Environment and Transport said, “It’s a real shame to have to remove a mature tree like this but the Chestnut tree is rotten and starting to die, the tree has been assessed over several years by our own officers and independent consultants.

“The decision hasn’t been taken lightly but it’s important that we deal with such a tree that is in poor condition, in an area which is very heavily used by pedestrians.”

Last month saw another tree disappear close to the Guildhall due to high winds – thankfully only a bear being hit rather than humans:

Further weather update from Cllr David Bithell – hundreds of weather related calls made overnight with crews dealing with 35 fallen trees since early hours of this morning: https://t.co/TU5fCZ4i8h

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 9, 2019

Work chopping up / removing the fallen tree on Queens Square now underway – seems the end of the road for this bear though! https://t.co/TU5fCZ4i8h pic.twitter.com/emdAUOya1l

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 9, 2019