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| Old King George tree in Wivenhoe to be felled after four-year row | |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Philip and Lorraine George have been among the campaigners trying to save the Old King George oak tree | Philip and Lorraine George have been among the campaigners trying to save the Old King George oak tree |
| A "beautiful" 120-year-old oak tree is to be chopped down after a four-year row between a council and insurers. | A "beautiful" 120-year-old oak tree is to be chopped down after a four-year row between a council and insurers. |
| Campaigners have been left angered by the decision affecting the Old King George oak in Wivenhoe High Street, Essex. | Campaigners have been left angered by the decision affecting the Old King George oak in Wivenhoe High Street, Essex. |
| It followed residents in nearby Clifton Terrace claiming the tree's roots were damaging their homes. | It followed residents in nearby Clifton Terrace claiming the tree's roots were damaging their homes. |
| Wivenhoe Town Council said the saga had been "deeply disturbing" but it was compelled to swing the axe. | Wivenhoe Town Council said the saga had been "deeply disturbing" but it was compelled to swing the axe. |
| Councillors have not confirmed when the felling would take place, fearing attempts to thwart it would endanger public safety. | Councillors have not confirmed when the felling would take place, fearing attempts to thwart it would endanger public safety. |
| However, campaigners told the BBC they believed works were planned during a car park closure at the site between 13 and 15 January. | However, campaigners told the BBC they believed works were planned during a car park closure at the site between 13 and 15 January. |
| A petition to save the tree has attracted more than 1,200 signatures | A petition to save the tree has attracted more than 1,200 signatures |
| Duncan Boon, who has lived in Wivenhoe for 26 years, said he would be "disgusted" if the removal took place. | Duncan Boon, who has lived in Wivenhoe for 26 years, said he would be "disgusted" if the removal took place. |
| "It's always been a beautiful tree, it's been admired and it doesn't deserve the treatment it's getting," the 58-year-old said. | "It's always been a beautiful tree, it's been admired and it doesn't deserve the treatment it's getting," the 58-year-old said. |
| "It's been there a lot longer than the houses, a lot longer than the car park and it doesn't deserve this." | "It's been there a lot longer than the houses, a lot longer than the car park and it doesn't deserve this." |
| A petition to save the tree was signed by more than 1,200 people within 48 hours of it going live. | A petition to save the tree was signed by more than 1,200 people within 48 hours of it going live. |
| Mr Boon added: "It shows how much the tree is loved and an alternative could be easily made to having it cut down." | Mr Boon added: "It shows how much the tree is loved and an alternative could be easily made to having it cut down." |
| The oak is to be felled after four years of negotiations proved futile | The oak is to be felled after four years of negotiations proved futile |
| Fellow campaigner Philip George warned the decision would also impact wildlife including birds and squirrels. | Fellow campaigner Philip George warned the decision would also impact wildlife including birds and squirrels. |
| He believed gravel soil could be the cause for the subsidence and called for a thorough investigation before any felling. | He believed gravel soil could be the cause for the subsidence and called for a thorough investigation before any felling. |
| "It should not be taken down until it is very clear and there is evidence the tree is the cause of the damage," Mr George added. | "It should not be taken down until it is very clear and there is evidence the tree is the cause of the damage," Mr George added. |
| 'Deep regret' | 'Deep regret' |
| However, the town council pointed to three previous reports concluding the oak was responsible for the damage. | However, the town council pointed to three previous reports concluding the oak was responsible for the damage. |
| Any delay in the tree's removal would leave the council "facing a financial liability at a level way beyond" its cash reserves, the authority said in a statement. | |
| The council added it was with "deep regret" that after four years of negotiations with the insurer, it had to admit defeat. | The council added it was with "deep regret" that after four years of negotiations with the insurer, it had to admit defeat. |
| "This whole episode has been deeply disturbing for the council, its staff and for a number of residents who have felt very strongly about the future of the oak," it said. | "This whole episode has been deeply disturbing for the council, its staff and for a number of residents who have felt very strongly about the future of the oak," it said. |
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