Trees felled at Whitecliff Park by 'person with chainsaw'

It is thought the pair of beech trees were cut down by a person wielding a chainsaw.

The 'disgusting and horrendous' act was discovered last week by people using Whitecliff Park in Poole.

It is the second time in less than six months that trees bordering the same green space have been targeted by a vandal.

Last September, two oak trees on the northern edge of the park had poison poured inside their trunks in a shameful bid to kill them.

It is thought the trees had been blocking the sea views of the perpetrator who was never caught.

Read more: Police conclude Poole tree killer probe with no arrests made

Photos of the latest act of criminal damage on the eastern side show that the views of the picturesque park and sea glimpses have now opened up to some nearby properties.

The owners of two of the luxury £1m homes denied any knowledge of the vandalism when asked.

John Challinor, chairman of the Parkstone Bay Residents Association, said: "I just think it is horrendous and disgusting.

"It could have been done for a number of reasons but there are some properties that do seem to directly benefit from the trees no longer being there.

"It isn't subtle. They are cuts rather than breaks so it isn't storm damage.

"We believe it was done overnight so you would expect someone to have heard it. But unless somebody has got CCTV of it, it is almost impossible to prove who has done it.

"We have worked hard to improve this area yet it seems members of our own community are fighting against us.

"It is a criminal offence and we have been in touch with the BCP Council about it."

Read more: 'Stupid and selfish actions': Police probe launched after oak tree poisonings

The two trees were young specimens that were no more than 20ft tall.

Local councillor Ann Stribley speculated that they were killed before they grew big enough to block views of the sunset over Poole Harbour.

She said: "It is just pure vandalism - it is somebody's selfishness.

"They were two smaller trees, although they were already quite substantial. They were planted a few years ago to replace the older trees once they come to the end of their life.

"In summer when they reached full bloom, they would have plugged the gap between the trees on either side. Maybe somebody wanted a better view of the sunset over the park and harbour. One can only speculate."

Hels McTiny posted on Facebook: "Blocking someone's view were they? Felled with a chainsaw? No way that this wasn't witnessed."

Beth Pearson said: "People are quick enough to complain about kids vandalising the play park, this is grown adults."

Over the last 10 years there has been a spate of similar attacks on trees in the exclusive suburbs that surround Poole Harbour where homeowners pay a premium for properties with a sea view.

The most high profile case was that of a businessman who in 2012 was fined £75,000 for arranging to have a 50ft tall pine tree felled because it stood in the way of the views of the harbour from his hot tub.

When asked on social media why the culprits behind last September attacks haven't been caught, local councillor Steve Baron said: "We can't prosecute a row of residents who live opposite because they all may have a better view after the crime! Without proof you can't point the finger at people."

An alternative motive for the attack might be that it was the work of travellers wanting easier access to the recreation ground in the near future.

Mr Challinor said: "The trees not being there make it easier for people to get on to the recreation ground."

Read more: 'A shadow over you and your family': Protected tree killer handed £80k court bill

Local residents today denied any knowledge of the attack, although one homeowner, who lives directly opposite where the trees stood said she was glad they were gone.

The woman, who did not give her name, said: "When there are high winds branches come down - I have told the council about it. One of them cut my son on the cheek. It's lucky (that they are gone)."

But one of her neighbours said it was a "bizarre act of vandalism."

The eldelry man said: "About two or three nights ago there was a lot of noise out on the street but we didn't see anything. It sounded like a group of lads at the end of an evening. It's a bizarre form of vandalism.

"I don't know why somebody would want to do it. It's not like they're in the way of the sea - if it was about that they'd have cut down one of the bigger trees."

BCP Council has been approached for comment.