Large tree in Poole to be reviewed despite residents' call for removal

Residents in Poole have described new action to monitor a 70ft Monterey Pine tree in the car park of Willow Park as a “waste of time and taxpayers’ money” following years of battling with the council.

BCP Council has said the latest work on March 29, which used machinery to expose the tree roots, was to “review how best to manage the surface around the tree” as opposed to the tree itself – which is protected.

In 2013, Poole Council conducted surface work to the road around the tree at the retirement housing complex due to tarmac and kerb damage because of protruding roots.

This process occurred again in 2016 and once more in 2019 before BCP Council then protected the tree with a TPO.

Uneven and cracked road at Willow Park in Poole due to Monterey Pine tree roots

Leaseholders at the complex were initially billed for the 2013 works, until resident Bernie Bodman took the decision to a tribunal on behalf of residents and won.

In August last year, Mr Bodman showed the Echo uneven road surfaces and cracked kerbs at the site due to the tree roots which he described as a “hazard” for the pensioners living in Willow Park.

Speaking ahead of the latest tree review, Mr Bodman said: “This has been going on for ten years. In 2013 they planted a feathered oak alongside the Monterey Pine which they said would be removed when the oak had taken root because it was damaging the highway. The pine is still here as the oak had no chance under the branches of the pine.

“The road has been repaired three times in the last ten years at council taxpayers’ cost. Now they are bringing in a machine to survey the roots which can been seen lifting everything in its path. What a waste of time and taxpayers’ money.”

Willow Park resident Bernie Bodman calls for Monterey Pine tree to be removed

The council previously said the tree made a “positive contribution” to the locality.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “The specialist machinery at Willow Park [has been] used to expose the root system of the Monterey Pine tree in the car park.

“This will help both our arboriculture and highways teams review how best to manage the surface around the tree to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all the Willow Park residents.

“This review comes in response to concerns which were previously raised by the Willow Park residents themselves around the tree and its impact on the car park’s surface.”