A COUNCILLOR at Warrington has issued a warning about bogus tree surgeons after a mature lime tree in the garden of a house was “hacked to death.”
The house owner could face legal action as a result of the incident – and the tree at Fearnhead will have to be felled.
Cllr Geoff Settle said: “Work should only be carried out on trees by a qualified arborist.
“A tree preservation order has now been placed on what was a 
beautiful lime tree be which must now be felled. If this is not done then the resident will be faced with legal action.”
Cllr Settle said the tree owner only wanted some branches trimming but left the so-called tree surgeon alone to do the job.
“When he returned, the tree, which had a beautiful, full crown, had lost all its branches and looked like a totem pole.
“The branches that remained were so short they were susceptible to attack from disease.
“All he had wanted was a few of the branches cutting back away from his house and the rest balanced to maintain the natural shape.
“Months later it looks no better even though it is covered in leaves that give the false impression that there is some life left in it.
“The owner is legally liable for the damage to the tree – not the guy who carried out the work.”
Cllr Settled said it turned out the tree surgeon was running his business from a storage unit.
He warned residents to carefully check the qualifications of tree surgeons and, if in doubt, consult the borough council.
They ask to see examples of previous work, get several quotes and always be present when the work was carried out.
Insurance details, phone numbers, etc should also be checked.
Pictured: What a Lime Tree should look like, with a full crown (right)…and the remains of the tree at Fearnhead.
Warning after tree hacked to death
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
5 Comments
A tree preservation order means that the tree must be felled ?????
It will be felled by tree fellers, or two if they aren’t Irish.
Why isn’t the guy who caused this traversty as much to blame as the chap who asked him to trim off “a few of the branches cutting back away from his house and the rest balanced to maintain the natural shape?”
The point at issue here is: was there a tree preservation order in place for the tree before the so called tree surgeon got to work?
Normally a TPO is to protect the tree but in this case it’s too late the damage has been done. In this instance it is being considered to be used as a means of laying down guidance as to has to take place.
You can hardly blame the bloke for wanting a tree like the one shown in the right hand picture in his garden!!…. the way it looks now is fine surely? It has leaves and will offer nesting opportunities for birds and may even grow back over the next 100 years