CHESHIRE West and Cheshire Council (CWAC) has issued a statement over the large beech tree, previously deemed ‘no immediate risk’ by its tree officers, which then came crashing down into a main road in Hartford.
Concerns were raised about the tree, which CWAC said ‘had been leaning significantly for some time’, after Storm Darragh struck the UK on Friday, December 6, amid a rare red weather warning from the Met Office.
Residents reported the winds had affected the tree, which seemed to be leaning further over the A559, Chester Road, causing a brick wall it had been leaning against to bulge further.
It has since been confirmed the owner of the tree, which was in a private garden, had it assessed by a tree surgeon from Hartford Tree Care several days before it fell, who in turn called in tree officers from CWAC, with a view to having a tree protection order lifted.
In a statement on social media, a spokesman for Hartford Tree Care its tree surgeon ‘felt the tree was a risk’.
But following the visit by its tree officers, CWAC stated the tree was ‘not considered to be an immediate failure risk’.
Cheshire West and Cheshire council said the tree ‘had been leaning significantly for some time’ before it failed (Image: Supplied)
However, at around 5pm on Sunday, December 22, in another bout of high wind, the tree failed, crashing down into Chester Road, damaging St John’s Church perimeter wall.
While no-one was injured, at least one person was in a vehicle nearby when it fell.
Asked to explain how the tree was mistakenly deemed to pose no immediate risk, CWAC released a further statement on Tuesday, December 30.
The error, it says, was due to the fact another fallen tree, which was also a victim of Storm Darragh, made it ‘difficult’ for its tree officers who did the assessment.
The council spokesman said: “CWAC tree surveyors attended the private property to review the status of this tree and liaise with the landowner.
“At the time, the tree was assessed as not being in imminent danger of falling, but it was difficult to determine whether the root plate had lifted due to it being covered by another tree which had fallen and hit it.
“However, the landowner was advised to arrange for a qualified arboricultural consultant to review the tree as soon as possible.
“The fallen tree was removed from the road, and the road and footway reopened.
“We are liaising with the landowner regarding other trees in their garden which may require action.”
Following the incident, conservative councillor for Hartford ward, Martin Loftus, said this was the third tree to fail in Hartford in the last five years, and confirmed he’s requested CWAC do everything it can to assess the condition of other large trees in the village.
He also reminded residents tree on their property are ultimately their own responsibility.
Cllr Loftus said: “Following the demise of the large tree and the damage caused to the boundary wall and to the church perimeter wall, together with my belief that this is the third tree to fall in that area in the last five years or so, I have asked CWAC tree officers to conduct a survey of other trees in that area.
“Please be aware where trees are located in private gardens they are the responsibility of the landowner.
“If you have trees within your boundary that are causing you some concern, it may well be worth seeking advice from qualified arborists.”