Tree damage from storm ‘could have been prevented’

A call has been made for county officers to “learn lessons” amid claims a tree may not have come down if an earlier request to trim it had been granted.

The willow tree in Cotherstone was toppled during Storm Boelo on October 18.

It was subject to a tree protection order (TPO) and an application by the owner to have it cut back for safety reasons was rejected last year.

The homeowner, who did not want to be named, said: “I sent them photographs of the massive overhang onto the road and the footpaths.

“I wanted excessive limbs bringing back in to stop it overhanging and they refused.

“It was a safety issue initially for passing traffic and pedestrians.

“Had that excess weight been taken off then, it might have stopped the tree toppling.”

Extensive damage was caused when the tree came down, including the roots ripping out foundations of a nearby stone wall which caused it and a wooden gate to collapse.

The trunk itself crashed through a wooden fence bordering the road.

It also caused a nearby spruce to lean and the owner has since applied to fell it for fear it also may topple.

County councillor for the village Richard Bell says planners need to take more care when considering applications for work on protected trees.

He said: “Speaking as someone who lives on the edge of a wood surrounded by protected trees, I have every sympathy with the resident, who has done everything right in foreseeing a problem and trying to head it off.

“Clearly the council’s judgment that ‘the proposed tree works are not deemed to be required and would harm the trees’ health and balance’ was wrong, and it does not seem to have considered the location of the tree, nor its susceptibility to strong winds while still in leaf.

“Durham County Council needs to learn lessons for the future.”

However, county officers say it is wrong to speculate.

A spokesperson said: “We were sorry to hear that the tree came down in the weekend’s storms and of the damage caused.

“Our staff attended the address on Sunday and helped with the clean-up.

“The winds experienced that weekend were so strong that our staff received almost 200 reports of incidents involving trees.

“The decision to refuse the application for works to the tree was made in good faith, following an assessment by a professional arboriculturist, and in consideration of relevant legislation.

“It would not be right to speculate on what might have happened had the works been carried out.”

The homeowner concluded: “The tree was iconic and everybody in the village was upset about it.

“It was a point that if people were lost, they would say ‘look for the house with the willow tree’.

“It was an immense tree.

“It could have been prevented.”