Resident accuses council of neglecting 150-year-old trees

A resident has accused Wiltshire Council of neglecting two protected Scots pine trees in Melksham which are being felled.

The trees, believed to be more than 150 years old, stand on the northern border of Melksham Campus, adjacent to Place Road and St Michael’s churchyard.

Robert Dickenson, a professional arboriculturist, raised concerns with the council about the condition of the three trees.

He said he believed severe heat and drought conditions had contributed to their deterioration, with nearby laurels planted in 2022 potentially competing with the trees for water. He contacted the council to raise concerns that it had not done enough to look after the trees, which are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).

Following an inspection, the council found one was dead and the other was in terminal decline, with signs of pine bark beetle activity, and began work to fell the two trees.

The felling work has since been paused following the discovery of a squirrel nest in a cavity in one of the trees.

Robert said, “It is my personal assessment that Wiltshire Council have not invested in looking after the protected Scots pine trees – which is a requirement of the TPOs – which the council themselves administer and oversee. I believe the council have neglected them.

“The laurels are sucking up more water than necessary and they are depriving the Scots pine. As a result, the first one that takes the full hit of the sun has died and the one nearest the church gate that was smothered. You have got very tall sycamores not giving it a chance and therefore it has been smothered and attacked by beetle.”

Robert said the TPOs had been placed on the trees more than 15 years ago. A Tree Condition Assessment carried out in 2020 stated that all three trees were in good health at the time of assessment.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr Martin Smith, said, “Following a recent inspection, our arboriculture assessment indicates that prolonged periods of hot, dry weather and challenging growing conditions in recent years are likely to have contributed to the trees’ decline.

“We understand residents’ concerns about the loss of these trees. However, Tree Preservation Orders are designed to protect trees from inappropriate works and do not prevent necessary action where trees are dead, dangerous or unlikely to recover. These trees appeared to be in good health during previous inspections but their condition has deteriorated rapidly.

“Whilst undertaking the works contractors discovered a squirrel nest containing at least one kit within a cavity in one of the trees. The remaining sections of the trees are currently considered stable and replacement trees will be planted during the winter planting season.

“The third Scots pine remains healthy and will continue to be monitored.”

The trees were also at the centre of controversy when Melksham Campus was built in 2022.

One of the Scots pines, which is located within the Melksham conservation area, was due to be felled after Wiltshire Council said it was having a “significant impact” on the listed stone wall bordering the Campus site and Place Road.

However, Robert challenged the council’s claims, leading to a U-turn on the decision.