'Iconic' Trinity Square tree at risk of felling

Wednesday 17 April 2019

The Guernsey Trees For Life group are strenuously opposing plans to fell a 160-year-old tree from Trinity Square because its causing damage to the road and a listed monument.

The Plane tree is causing the granite to crack on a century old pump and is damaging the road around it.

St Peter Port Constable Dennis Le Moignan said the Douzaniers have been trying to work out how to rectify the problem for 18 months. The situation was worsened when a lorry crashed into the pump which now stands several inches off-kilter. 

"Initially we wanted to repair the pump on the corner as it's a listed monument. It was hit by a lorry which knocked it off its granite plinth, but the problem was when we went to look at it we discovered the tree roots had pushed the granite slabs about 4-5 inches. 

"The drainage is partly grown over and the roots have twisted it out of shape. The road has lifted up and the road is sinking down and it's collapsing."

Pictured: The Trinity Square Plane Tree (from Guernsey Trees for Life Twitter)

"It's going to cause problems. I love trees but the trouble with this one is it's causing damage it could live another 60-80 years. The solution suggested was putting thinner slabs down by the roots but those roots are still growing and could cause more damage.

"We've got a responsibility to use our parishioner's money wisely, it could cost around £1,000-£2,000 to repair their way or around £200 to remove it.

"The tree is not a listed tree and the pump dates to the 19th century," he said. 

Mr Le Moignan will be drafting a letter to the States imploring them to pay for the more expensive work to be done to preserve the trees and the road systems while Deputy John Gollop and Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen tweeted their dismay about the plans yesterday. 

"We will look to replant trees just as we are doing with the Pines on Upland Road, which we will replace with Rowan trees which attract far more birds and bees, this is about rebirth," said Constable Le Moignan. 

@StPeterPortPari douzaine are determined to get rid of those iconic trees! @tothevale !

— john gollop (@GollopGuern) April 16, 2019

Guernsey Trees for Life (GTFL) released a statement to say they disagree with any action to cut down a healthy tree.

"GTFL strenuously oppose any action to remove any of these iconic and healthy trees unless evidence can be provided that they are a danger to the public and at imminent risk of falling down. The charity considers that these trees are arguably some of the most visually important individual trees in Guernsey.

“Trees are a key component of our landscape, urban or rural and the decision to remove them should never be taken lightly. There has been a definite erosion, especially in recent years, of the urban tree population in and around St Peter Port. These trees in Trinity Square play a very important role in the Town landscape, with their visual amenity value, the contribution they make to reduce air pollution as well as their summer shade value,” said Colin Dodd, Committee Member.