Fences have been erected around the iconic Umbrella Tree in East Cowes after its condition was considered to have weakened to the point of impacting public safety.
Friends of the Umbrella Tree say the fencing erected by Island Roads means they “cannot complete our safety measures”.
Condition has deteriorated
The Isle of Wight council (IWC) say they’ve continued to carry out regular inspections of the umbrella tree, after it was identified as suffering from internal decay in 2018.
They say it has continued to decline and weakened to the point where they must take action to ensure the safety of the public.
The temporary fencing that was erected on Friday has been carried out “for everyone’s safety” and the IWC hope residents will understand that “the safety of the public is our first priority”.
Friends: Going back to square one with the tree under threat again
Bev Webster and Chris Gutteridge from Friends of the Umbrella Tree told News OnTheWight,
“The fencing and placed cones surrounding the umbrella tree in East Cowes means we cannot complete our safety measures. They are asking for detailed plans of the framework we have already put into place.
“We have also obtained safety strapping to secure all branches and have insurance in place for public liability of £10 million.
“It seems that after all the work and money we have spent to make sure the tree is safe and even East Cowes Community Partnership support us by helping with the payment for the cost of the framework we are going back to square one with the tree under threat again.”
IWC: Fencing a short-term measure
News OnTheWight understands that the measures are only intended to be short-term to enable a supporting frame, which will help support the tree’s quite substantial branches, to be installed.
The council hopes to remove the fencing when the detailed design for the support has been approved and the structure is complete.
Great support
When the future of the tree first came under threat, its protection gained the support of wildlife presenter and campaigner, Chris Packham, as well as Dame Judi Dench and even Clarence House.
Article edit
10.35am 10th Jul 2023 – Removed: The maintenance of the tree is the responsibility of East Cowes Town Council. Also funding support came from East Cowes Community Partnership not the Town council as advised by the Friends.
