COUNCIL chiefs are set to removed a weeping willow tree from Pershore’s Abbey Park due to safety concerns.
The decision to take down the large tree near the entrance of the park was reluctantly made by Wychavon District Council on safety grounds, after it failed to come into leaf this year.
A specialist tree surgeon was called in to carry out an inspection and found the tree had reached the end of its natural life.
If left in place, the tree would carry the potential risk of branches falling, sparking safety concerns for park-goers.
Work to remove the tree was set to take place this week and plans are already in the pipeline to replace the tree with one or more new ones, but it is unlikely they will be willows as it is believed the ground is now too dry for them to flourish.
Lynn Stevens, Wychavon’s parks officer said: “We are so sad to lose this old friend of a tree and we know many local people will miss it too.
“We will make plans to ensure that trees are planted this coming winter in the vacant space to ensure that future generations will have them to enjoy.”
