The council share this latest news. Ed
Vandals have destroyed a tree on Cowes seafront which was planted in 2014 to replace the historic umbrella tree which had been familiar landmark on Princes Green for more than 100 years.
The weeping beech sapling was snapped by vandals sometime during the evening of Friday 12 August, the night of the Cowes Week fireworks display.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Executive member for environment at the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“It is really sad that mindless vandals have caused so much damage to a tree which was so welcomed by the local community following the removal of the historic umbrella tree.
“We intend to plant a replacement this winter during the appropriate planting season and hope that it will flourish and mature into a tree which can be enjoyed as much as the umbrella tree was.”
On the recent vandalism, David Jones, Mayor of Cowes, said:
“Cowes Town Council is also upset to hear of the dreadful damage caused to the new weeping beech, and following this incident we welcome and look forward to the opportunity to work in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council to find a long term solution to replace this iconic tree.”
The umbrella tree had to be felled in 2014 due to a fungal disease which led to the tree rotting internally. Wood from the tree was given to a wood turner at Arreton Barns so that gifts could be created for Cowes Town Council to give on civic occasions.
It was not possible to plant another weeping ash at the site due to the current embargo on planting ash species because of ash die back disease, so a weeping beech was chosen instead.
