A giant sequoia tree in Exeter, believed to be over 100 years old, is to be felled because its condition has deteriorated, the city council said.
The tree is located on Pinces Gardens and Exeter City Council said it had to be cut down for safety reasons.
The council’s tree experts confirmed that the 75-foot-tall tree, a descendant of California’s giant redwood trees, cannot be saved and that 95 percent of its foliage has turned brown.
Ruth Williams, the council’s senior councillor for local government, said the tree was “beyond saving” and after it was felled the council would “consider planting another tree of a species more suitable for the allotment site”.
“Beyond saving”
According to experts, the tree’s root system has been damaged and there is also some historical fire damage around its trunk.
Ms Williams said: “Nobody likes to cut down trees, especially an iconic tree like this one, which is so loved by many local residents. But this one is unfortunately beyond saving and must be cut down to ensure its safety.”
The felling is expected to take place before the end of the year, subject to the necessary building permit as the tree is located in a nature reserve.
The council said it intended to remove the tree using an aerial climbing system as there was no access for a crane or mobile work platform.
The tree probably comes from a shipment of seeds from Calaveras Grove in California, which arrived in England in December 1853.
The seeds from this batch were widely distributed throughout Europe.
The council manages giant sequoias in Exeter and there are four young specimens planted in Pince’s gardens in 2011.
Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), on facebook. And InstagramSend your story ideas to [email protected].
More about this story
Further Internet links
