'Very special ' oak tree in St Ives felled withoutwarning

Locals described the mature tree as “very special” and “amazing”, questioning whether it had been felled to make way for “more concrete boxes for humans to live in”.

News of the tree's demise on the St Ives discussion Facebook page prompted dozens of angry comments.

One poster demanded to know “who was responsible for this decision” and called the loss a “complete and utter disgrace”.

The tree was reduced to a pile of logs without anyone being aware it was to be cut down. (Image: Submitted)

Many neighbours said they only realised what was happening once contractors moved in, and have since flooded local social media groups with pictures of the stump and calls for greater transparency over how decisions about protected trees are made.

Several residents say the oak was part of the character of The Crescent and an important habitat for birds and wildlife, with one writing that they could see “nothing indicating that it was dying” when they looked at photographs of the trunk.

One nearby resident who contacted the Hunts Post said the felling defied belief and had left her feeling "sickened" by its loss.

She pointed out that Huntingdonshire District Council speaks about protecting trees, but pointed out the oak, which she said was at least 200 years old, was not protected.

"The tree was there long before the houses were built. There are ways to underpin houses, and protect properties, but you have got expect problems if you build homes so close to such a mature tree," she said.

"It is a travesty that they have taken the step to fell the tree without discussing it publicly, and without any notice."

In response, St Ives Liberal Democrat councillor and Huntingdonshire District Council deputy chair Michael Burke said he understands why residents are upset by the loss of this mature oak tree and recognises the significant value that established trees provide to our communities, local wildlife and the character of St Ives.

He explained the oak was removed after a “lengthy and complex insurance subsidence claim” involving three neighbouring homes, with independent investigations concluding the tree was a “significant contributing factor to ongoing structural damage”.

Cllr Burke said that over roughly three years the council had explored “a range of options in an effort to retain the tree while resolving the subsidence issues”, but “no viable alternative could be identified”.

One of the affected properties had become vacant due to the structural problems, he added, and the authority was ultimately required to act on the evidence from the insurance claim and subsidence investigations.

He stressed the decision “was therefore not based on the tree’s health or condition, but on the evidence gathered” and that “a healthy tree can still contribute to subsidence where factors such as shrinkable clay soil, ground conditions and moisture demand are present”.

Cllr Burke said the council regretted the loss of any mature tree and insisted removals were “always treated as a last resort after other reasonable options have been explored”, but accepted “the strength of public feeling” over the felling in The Crescent.