PARISH councillors hope Durham officials will permit the felling of two “dangerous” 100-year-old fir trees before they are blown over in high winds.
Concerns about the condition of the trees – a noble fir and a noble spruce – at the entrance of Hagg House, in Cotherstone, were first raised by parish councillors two years ago.
At their latest meeting councillors expressed their concern about the situation in light of the high winds during the recent Storm Malik.
An arboricultural survey, commissioned by the parish council, revealed that poor pruning has caused suckers at the top of the trees to grow at 45-degree angles, and there is evidence of a fungal infection.
The trees, which were designated with protection orders in 1984, are in the conservation area so any work on them needs consent from Durham County Council.
Cllr Robert Johnson said: “I looked up how to challenge a preservation order.
“If it [tree] fell over and damaged Hagg House you would hope their insurance would cover it, but they would look at whose land it is on and it could be quite expensive for the parish council.
“If you cut it down it’s a £2,000 fine.
“The only way you get around it is if the tree is damaged or diseased.”
Chairman Cllr John Birkett said the trees were not native and only had amenity value.
Clerk Judith Mashiter said: “Amenity value that is diseased and dangerous.”
Cllr Jenny Watson was worried people using the public footpath near the trees could be injured.
She said: “There are lots of bits of it coming off as you are walking past.”
Cllr Johnson said: “Given the high winds that we have had it needs sorting. With the storms we have had I think they [Durham County Council] should be proactive.”
Ms Mashiter told members an offer to cover the cost of removing the trees had been made by the owner of Hagg House.
She said: “I would say it is going to be £1,000, which is one seventh of our budget.”
She added if Durham’s tree officer agreed to the removal, it would be better for the parish council to give permission to have them felled.
Although some members expressed hopes the matter could be dealt with quickly, Cllr Birkett said if the go-ahead was given by Durham’s tree officer, planning consent would still be needed as the trees are within the village’s conservation area.
Cllr Watson said: “Look at that one at Romaldkirk. They had just got permission to fell it and it came down in the storm.”
