Felling of mature beech tree in Gunnislake

We recently announced that, sadly, we must fell a large beech tree at Drakewalls Gardens in Gunnislake. 

We have received feedback from a small number of residents, who would prefer us to prolong the life of the tree and consider alternative methods of managing it. We are grateful for the feedback, and we have considered the suggestions very carefully. However, it is with regret that we must remove the tree. This is for the following reasons:

• Due to the nature of the disease it is suffering from (meripilus giganteus), it will inevitably die soon.
• This disease makes the main root structure brittle and liable to fracture. As it progresses, the tree risks falling and places residents and users of the adjacent highway at risk.
• Removing the tree as soon as possible will enable our contractors to carry out the works safely and remove any future risks.

The tree has been monitored closely and, whilst it is safe at present, the safety of the public, residents and highway users must be our top priority. 

At Cornwall Housing, we very much value our trees and wherever possible, we work with our residents to preserve them. We rarely fell trees and only do so where they are dead, dying or suffering from a disease. 

Over recent years we have planted many trees on our estates under the ‘Making Space for Nature’ project and over the next year, we will be planting around 200 trees across Cornwall to help sustain and increase Cornwall’s green canopy. 

To help offset the loss of this tree, we will be planting a number of trees in the Gunnislake area, and we are presently identifying suitable sites for them.  

Additional Information

The work is scheduled to take place from w/c 23rd October 2023. Please be aware, there may be some disruption as we will be partially closing the main road through the village (A390) and diverting the adjacent footpath. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.