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The felling of an historic tree in Alphington

The Macrocarpa tree No. S.W. [P]5177146/3

By Donald Snell

In the beginning

The beginning of this tree, I was assured by the foreman at Veitch's Nursery, was that there were two trees heeled in late one evening as surplus to requirements from a planting contract sometime in the 60's

I moved to the area in 1970 and there were two trees there then, one healthy and twenty feet tall the other very sickly, just on the edge of my boundary and alongside the Nursery Road.

I unfortunately cannot find any early photographs of this tree, I only have my memories.

A hedgerow tree left to grow like Topsy killing first a mature apple tree of mine. Then a Norway Spruce of my neighbours, then one by one some Lawson Cyprus I was trying to establish a hedge with to shield my property. I abandoned that and put up a 6ft fence.

The preservation order

In 1975 when Veitch's Nursery was closing there was talk of a Preservation Order. That is when I was given the information shown in the sub-title of this article.

A Preservation Order was made in 1975 on the one remaining tree. "Columnar 35/40ft tall. Of great amenity value". The number shown in the sub-title was then allocated to it

A new owner for the tree

With the building of No. 17 Veitch's Gardens the tree now became the property and responsibility of the owners.

This tree had conservative treatment by tree surgeons on six separate occasions and in 2005 it also had major work lifting its crown. In 2007 a split was noticed in its trunk. By the middle of November the Preservation Order was rescinded and the tree now 70ft broad and 70ft tall was to be felled.

The end of a magnificent tree

Work began on Monday 26th November and it took three days to remove and shred the small branches and foliage, about six tons.

It took a further three days to fell and cut up the remaining trunks into small enough pieces to be carried through the narrow pathway to the waiting trucks at the front of the house.

A costly end of a fine tree in the wrong place.

Acknowledgements

My many thanks to Clyst Tree and Landscapes for permission to record this event and the team of workers: Samir Tefnkgl, Charlie Bradford, Sam Manaton and Mike Davey. For their cooperation and help in providing some of the photographs. Also to Mr Naylor for allowing me free access. Thank you.

Eulogy by the owners of 17 Veitch's Gardens
It was a privilege to be the custodians of such a fine tree. A privilege and burden. The tree dominated our garden, it extracted most of the moisture from the soil and very much determined what would grow and flourish. It made the rooms at the rear of the house quite dark and being twice the length of the house its needles frequently blocked our gutters as well as carpeting our lawn. The tree could be seen from the centre of Exeter and in spite of the many disadvantages now that it is gone it is sadly missed.

Follow the felling of this tree in more detail in a large photographic gallery.

Is this the tree in 1962.

View the site plan.

Japanese Gifts from the Veitch Family

Pots, Combs and Butterflies