The Parish Council has officially withdrawn the proposal to remove the four apple trees. I have received confirmation that the trees will remain in Westwood Park under a new maintenance plan. We will monitor the site to ensure these specific trees are protected moving forward.
February 6, 2022
Final supporters
Westwood Parish Council want to cut down four of Westwood Park's apple trees. These are located close to the swings - one is very large, but all are mature and produce a crop of apples each year. Some of these apples are edible, some are used by residence for making jam and cider, all are a source of food for birds and insects. The trees help combat climate change and chopping them down means less CO2 is absorbed, habitat for wildlife is destroyed and a source of pleasure for adults and children is reduced to four stumps.
The council argues that these trees are 'self seeded' and because not planned should be removed. They have argued the apples are a tripping hazard, but this seems a massive overreaction to chop down healthy trees because of a few apples on the path. The tree stumps may also be a tripping hazard as well as a painful reminder of these lovely trees. If you oppose chopping down these four apple trees please sign the petition and, if you have time, write to the Parish Council to say you oppose this unnecessary felling at this email address: [email protected]
Please include your home address in Westwood or if living nearby as otherwise the email will not be read by the council.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 21, 2021
December 15, 2021
I have formally requested an itemized safety audit from the Parish Council regarding their justification for the removals. I am currently gathering independent arborist reports to present as a counter-argument during the next public hearing.
Reached 100 supporters
December 12, 2021
238 Comments
What a ridiculous notion! Leave the trees, so people can enjoy the fruits. I have worked in Germany, where apple trees have deliberately been planted in public areas for people to enjoy (Kreiderbergsee, Luneburg). Enough of this nonsense.
For goodness sake see some sense! In my 54 years of living in the New Forest I have never tripped over an fallen apple, acorn, fallen branch, leaf or acorn. There is far too much felling of trees and disregard of nature and this is a step too far!
Does nobody trip over stones/pebbles? It is not a reason to fell a lovely fruitful tree. I saw it’s stump today when looking out of my window and was appalled to learn why it had been felled - already, with no consultation apparently.
Mature trees provide food and habitat for wildlife that would take years to replace with new planting, therefore mature trees should be preserved wherever possible. Please rethink this plan with emphasis on adding to biodiversity, not removing it.
The park is a wonderful asset to the village and to cut down healthy, productive trees is quite outrageous. Judicious pruning could help prevent too many apples falling on the pathway. Please, please consider the opinions of the residents of Westwood.
Please keep these beautiful trees, such a shame to destroy them.
Lovely trees, wicked to cut them down.
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The Parish Council has officially withdrawn the proposal to remove the four apple trees. I have received confirmation that the trees will remain in Westwood Park under a new maintenance plan. We will monitor the site to ensure these specific trees are protected moving forward.
February 6, 2022
Final supporters
Westwood Parish Council want to cut down four of Westwood Park's apple trees. These are located close to the swings - one is very large, but all are mature and produce a crop of apples each year. Some of these apples are edible, some are used by residence for making jam and cider, all are a source of food for birds and insects. The trees help combat climate change and chopping them down means less CO2 is absorbed, habitat for wildlife is destroyed and a source of pleasure for adults and children is reduced to four stumps.
The council argues that these trees are 'self seeded' and because not planned should be removed. They have argued the apples are a tripping hazard, but this seems a massive overreaction to chop down healthy trees because of a few apples on the path. The tree stumps may also be a tripping hazard as well as a painful reminder of these lovely trees. If you oppose chopping down these four apple trees please sign the petition and, if you have time, write to the Parish Council to say you oppose this unnecessary felling at this email address: [email protected]
Please include your home address in Westwood or if living nearby as otherwise the email will not be read by the council.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 21, 2021
December 15, 2021
I have formally requested an itemized safety audit from the Parish Council regarding their justification for the removals. I am currently gathering independent arborist reports to present as a counter-argument during the next public hearing.
Reached 100 supporters
December 12, 2021
238 Comments
No matter how they got there, the apple trees enhance the park. Would you remove a rainforest because it's self-seeded? What evidence exists of the tripping hazard? Please state how many people have been injured by tripping over apples in the last year.
What a ridiculous notion! Leave the trees, so people can enjoy the fruits. I have worked in Germany, where apple trees have deliberately been planted in public areas for people to enjoy (Kreiderbergsee, Luneburg). Enough of this nonsense.
For goodness sake see some sense! In my 54 years of living in the New Forest I have never tripped over an fallen apple, acorn, fallen branch, leaf or acorn. There is far too much felling of trees and disregard of nature and this is a step too far!
Does nobody trip over stones/pebbles? It is not a reason to fell a lovely fruitful tree. I saw it’s stump today when looking out of my window and was appalled to learn why it had been felled - already, with no consultation apparently.
Mature trees provide food and habitat for wildlife that would take years to replace with new planting, therefore mature trees should be preserved wherever possible. Please rethink this plan with emphasis on adding to biodiversity, not removing it.
The park is a wonderful asset to the village and to cut down healthy, productive trees is quite outrageous. Judicious pruning could help prevent too many apples falling on the pathway. Please, please consider the opinions of the residents of Westwood.
Please keep these beautiful trees, such a shame to destroy them.
Lovely trees, wicked to cut them down.
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No matter how they got there, the apple trees enhance the park. Would you remove a rainforest because it's self-seeded? What evidence exists of the tripping hazard? Please state how many people have been injured by tripping over apples in the last year.