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22
Aug 2023
'Regret' after 300-year-old oak tree felled in Harrogate
North Yorkshire Council has said it is “regrettable” that a 300 year old oak tree in Harrogate was felled yesterday due to its decaying condition.
The authority has also claimed it is possible that work carried out by Northern Powergrid in April near to the oak on Woodfield Road in Bilton “would have accelerated the death of the tree”.
The council carried out an assessment of the tree at the junction with Bilton Lane in June.
It concluded that due to decaying roots the “risk to the public” was considered too great for it to remain in place and it was destroyed yesterday.
Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on the council, said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of the tree.
Northern Powergrid, which manages the electricity network, carried out emergency work to repair a cable fault in the area in April this year.
The work included excavation of the roots of the tree to dig a trench.
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Council officials said although the work did not contribute to the tree's decay, it is possible that it would have accelerated its death, which led to the authority's decision to remove it "earlier than we would have otherwise".
Jonathan Clubb, North Yorkshire Council’s head of parks and grounds, said a “thorough examination” would now be carried out into the tree.
He said:
Mr Clubb added:
The Stray Ferret approached Northern Powergrid to ask for a response to the claim that the work carried out contributed to the council’s decision to remove the tree.
A spokesperson said:
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