The 100-year-old lime trees in Riverside, Cardiff, which were at the centre of a campaign to save them, have been chopped down by Cardiff Council despite opposition from more than 1,000 people who signed a petition against it. The decision to fell the two mature lime trees in Neville Street was carried out by tree surgeons on Wednesday, following months of residents’ awareness of the plans. The council’s approval to cut down the trees came after a report was commissioned earlier in the year in connection with an insurance claim dating back to 2020. The claim suggested that the tree roots on the street were causing damage to the structural integrity of nearby properties.
A petition was launched online by resident Mike Johnson, garnering 1,100 signatures. Johnson expressed concerns about the environmental impact of removing the trees, emphasizing the aesthetic and value they added to the area. He argued that their removal would not only detract from the greenery but also diminish the overall appeal of the tree-lined avenue that residents and visitors cherished along the bustling thoroughfare. Despite the opposition, the decision to fell the trees was upheld, leading to the trees being chopped down on Wednesday.
The situation further escalated as signs such as ‘Sign to save’ and ‘Help save me, don’t kill me’ were placed near the trees, indicating residents’ pleas to preserve them. Cardiff Council defended their decision, stating that investigations confirmed the tree roots were indeed causing structural damage to residential properties. The council considered options provided by an independent report, which included extensive root pruning work that could potentially harm the trees or felling them.
Following a delay to engage with local ward members and respond to constituents, the council proceeded with the removal of the trees to prevent further property damage. Measures such as installing tree root barriers and planting replacement trees have been planned to mitigate the loss of the felled lime trees. The controversial decision to cut down the trees has sparked debate and raised concerns about the repercussions it may have on the area’s environment and property values.