Sefton Council asked to fell diseased tree on Chapel Lane, Formby

Sefton Council has been contacted by Formby Parish Council and requested to fell a diseased tree in the village.

The horse chestnut tree, located outside Cassidys on Chapel Lane, was earmarked to be removed last year for the health and safety of the local community.

As part of a compromise, Sefton Council asked Formby Parish Council to agree to a number of conditions and allowed them to carry out further works on the tree in the hope of saving it.

Unfortunately, the Parish Council has since contacted Sefton Council’s Tree and Woodland Team asking them to now remove the tree.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “Last year an independent report was carried out for the Parish Council highlighting how this tree was diseased with bleeding canker and the usual way of dealing with this is by felling it.

“However, after ongoing discussions with Formby Parish Council, they agreed to a number of conditions where they would carry out maintenance work to mitigate the immediate risk and try and save the tree.

“Sadly, this has not worked and their arboriculturist has stated that the tree needs to be felled so we will now start the process to remove it. We have been in contact with ward members in the village and will liaise closely with Formby Parish Council to move this forward.

“Our priority is and always will be the safety of residents and visitors to Formby village.”

Cllr Bob McCann, Chairman of Formby Parish Council, added: “Of the remaining trees identified by Sefton Council for felling, this particular tree has always been the weakest. Our tree specialist from Cumbria, who we contracted to survey and undertake some remedial work to try and save the trees, said at the outset that this tree was the least healthy and his inspection this year confirmed that this tree had failed and would not recover.

“However, we are still trying our best with the remaining three horse chestnuts. They were injected this year with nutrients and action will be taken in September to try to fortify and protect them. We will always listen to the community and the presentation of a 4,500 signature petition, asking us to protect the trees as much as possible, has given us this particular focus.”

A tree removal notice has been issued and work to remove the tree should start shortly.