Belfairs Park 'poisoned' oak tree on edge set to be chopped

Southend Council has been left with no choice but to fell the tree, which sits on the edge of Belfairs Park in Leigh, according to Belfairs councillor Stephen Aylen.

He claims poison had been poured into a hole which had been drilled in the tree, which he believes has stood tall for almost 200 years.

Disappointed - Stephen Aylen in Belfairs Woods

The Independent councillor said: “It looks like a hole has been drilled in the bottom. It was a bit of a mystery because the tree’s dying off at one side.

“It’s made me question why anyone would do that. It is so sad, especially as this particular tree stands sort of on its own. It’s a real shame this has happened to it.

“The council has tried to rescue it but it’s too far gone. The tree is going to be felled because it could endanger houses or people.”

READ MORE: Frustration as trees in Leigh park to be axed to protect gas pipe

Mr Aylen says although trees have been damaged before, the circumstances surrounding this case are unique to his knowledge.

“We’ve seen copper nails put into trees before especially on the edge of the golf course, but I’ve never seen or heard of anyone drilling a hole in it and putting poison in,” he added. 

“That takes a lot of effort.”

“The houses near it were built in around 1936 and it’s in older photographs in the background.

It’s been there for at least 175 years. We’re trying to find out who actually did this to the tree.”

The issue has since been branded as an act of “blatant vandalism” by disgusted residents, with one saying they were “angry and sad”.

They wrote on social media: “Yes, for certain reasons we can’t keep all of trees but this evil and blatant vandalism.”

Another said: “Why would someone, want to kill a beautiful old oak, that has survived all these years?

“Obviously an ulterior motive, considering they have tried to hide their tactics.”