Landmark tree set to be removed in Telford
A beech tree which is a familiar roadside landmark on one of Telford’s main roads is to be cut down today after a fungus affecting its roots reached an advanced stage.
The tree is by the side of the A442 next to the Maxell factory on the northern edge of the town and its state is causing safety concerns.
Telford & Wrekin Council’s contractor TWS will be on site to cut the tree down but it will be replaced by two more beech trees, which are due to be planted in the coming weeks.
The council’s arboricultural team has been monitoring the tree during the past two years after it was discovered the tree had the Meripilus Giganteus fungus.
This year the fungus had doubled in size compared with the previous year and had rotted the underside of the tree’s root ball.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Environment, Co-operative Council and Partnerships, said: “This decision has not been taken lightly but as always in these cases safety is paramount.
“A high proportion of traffic passes the tree along the A442, which is Telford’s main north/south trunk road so given the tree’s location and current condition, we have had to take the decision to remove it.”
