When a development was proposed in Hoveton that would have resulted in the felling of nine ancient oak trees local people where alarmed. More than 20 households from Two Saints Green estate wrote to their local district council’s conservation and landscape service raising their concerns. This resulted in a landscape officer visiting the site to assess the trees, landscape and wildlife value.
The trees were foundto be valuable habitats for bats and birds and also significant in the local landscape being visible from many viewpoints and clearly enjoyed by local people. A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was placed on the trees the day before the chainsaws were due to arrive and the trees have been safeguarded for local people to enjoy and to benefit wildlife.
This case study shows how identifying and recording special trees can be vital to safeguarding them – if you survey your parish or local area for special trees make sure a copy of your results is sent to the parish council, your local tree warden, if you have one, and your local authority.