Diseased tree will need to come down, say experts

A diseased tree which straddles a car park entrance and exit in Diss will need to come down because it is unsafe, according to experts. The Caucasian Wingnut at Mount Street car park has been damaged by a fungal disease, which experts say has resulted in it splitting almost in two. Last week, Ravencroft, a respected firm of arbiculturalists based at Foulsham, near Dereham carried out further and more in-depth testing on behalf of South Norfolk Council, which owns the car park. The testing by Ravencroft, a firm previously employed by the Diss Town Council, has now resulted in advice to the Council that the tree is not safe, and could fall down in bad weather. They have further advised that the Council have the tree felled. South Norfolk Councillor David Bills, Cabinet Member for Environment, Health, Recycling and Safety said: "It is with real regret that we must accept this advice from our experts, and order the felling of this much loved tree. We cannot compromise the safety of people, which is paramount. "Last week, we had to order the closure of the Mount Street car park - which serves the town and the health centre - on the advice of our tree experts after their initial assessment recommended a 15 metre zone around the tree be left clear in case it fell. "The car park will be reopened as soon as we are able and after the work is completed. Once again, we apologise for the temporary closure." South Norfolk Council has also ordered an inspection of all trees on similar sites across the district.

Related pages

• Latest news