Shock and sadness after popular tree is felled

"The tree was amazing - its crazy fairy tale shape, an iconic shape, and that's why everyone's so shocked that it's been suddenly removed."

People in Alfreton have been sharing their memories and expressing their sadness that a giant "bendy-branched" beech tree has been chopped down.

Visitors to Alfreton Park, where the tree stood, described it as "beautiful and amazing," reminisced on the fun had on its unusual U-shaped lower branch and said they were surprised by Derbyshire County Council's decision to take it down on Thursday.

The authority said the tree was in a "declining condition" and presented "significant health and safety risks".

Paul Fox grew up in Alfreton and holds fond memories of playing on the "crazy shape" of its lower branch and described the tree as a "local landmark."

"As a tiny child, I can remember being lifted up to sit on the bend in the tree. Then when I was older, we would be climb up it or tie a rope to it," he said.

Martin Dudley regularly travelled from Ripley to take wedding photos of couples and their wedding cars beside the tree.

"It was ideal for the wedding car to pull up there and get a great picture," he said.

"I always found it quite an amusing tree really. It had been struck by lightning or it had not grown," he added, referring to its U-shaped branch.

Dudley was surprised to see the images of the tree stump shared on social media and went to visit Alfreton Park to see it for himself.

"I wondered if somebody was joking about this. I really didn't believe it," he said.

"It's probably struggled for the last few years with these warm summers that we've had, but last time I walked past it, it certainly looked in in good condition."

Resident Mark Wharton said he had noticed a number of trees in the park had been "suffering quite badly."

"It just seems an awful shame that they've started rotting and falling down and becoming dangerous," he said.

Fox said he was shocked the council decided to fell the tree and said there was "no warning, no signs and no planning permission notices on Amber Valley's planning site".

"I don't believe for a second that tree was unhealthy or unsafe, but I'm not a tree expert," he said.

Councillor Carol Wood, cabinet member for environment, said: "The loss of any tree, particularly a mature one, is never an easy decision for the county council.

"This tree had been inspected and monitored over a number of years but following more recent inspections, including those carried out this year, the difficult decision was made to remove it due to its declining condition and the significant health and safety risks it presented.

"The tree was located next to a busy car park and an area regularly used by members of the public, including children and young people.

"We looked at all the options and it was found that the safest and most appropriate course of action was to remove the tree.

"We fully appreciate that the loss of such a prominent and longstanding feature within the park will be disappointing for many people.

"Trees often hold significant personal and community value, and we recognise the memories and attachment that can develop over many generations.

"Two standard oak trees will be planted in the area where the beech tree stood. It is hoped that, in time, these replacement trees will become valued features of the park and provide similar benefits for future generations."

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