Growing problems for Frome’s trees as two more heritage oaks could be felled

RESIDENTS are waiting to find out whether two heritage oak trees on Acacia Drive will be felled, due to subsidence the trees are causing to adjacent houses.

An application to fell the trees was submitted to the Mendip District Council on 23rd March and has attracted significant objection from Frome Town Council, residents and Frome’s tree specialist who are opposed to the oak trees being removed.

However, not everyone is opposed to the application, saying the trees pose a danger to the buildings nearby, and residents.

Frome Town Council’s planning and development officer, Catherine Warburton said, “We would like to make it clear that we are sympathetic to the homeowners and would like to work with them and with Somerset Council to reach a satisfactory agreement. However, we must object to the felling of two well-established oak trees, one of which is a veteran and the other a notable tree. We believe that there should be no further action until more research has been done to establish the exact cause of the subsidence at the property. We note that other properties, not close to the trees, are suffering from similar problems. This would indicate that the trees are not at fault and there is an issue elsewhere.

“These are important veteran trees, of high value, and play a major part in the amenity of the area. They provide a huge contribution to the area, both in amenity value and in terms of aesthetic and character value to the town. We firmly believe that these trees are irreplaceable.”

One resident objecting to the application on the Somerset Council website wrote, “Every effort should be made to preserve and protect any tree in today’s world where we need them for storing carbon and providing a home for all sorts of wildlife. These particular oaks are historic, heritage trees and have aesthetic value as well as being environmentally important. They survived the establishment of the Stonebridge estate and are a characterful landmark where they have stood for around 160 years. Please do not kill any more of Frome’s beautiful, precious old trees, which seem to be falling like ninepins lately just because they get in our way. Let’s rather get out of their way and let them continue to give us joy and clean air.”

However, a resident who is supporting the application said, “In the last 20 years, tree T2 has grown a lot and now overhangs two-thirds of the rear of the property. In full bloom it blocks daylight for most of the day, in high winds large dead branches are constantly falling, causing a danger to both property and children in the park. If it were to blow over, it would flatten at least one of two adjoining properties, endangering life, so needs seriously lopping or removal.”

Writing to Somerset Council objecting to the felling, Frome’s tree specialist Julian Hight said, “I write to object in the strongest terms to the application to fell two oak trees at Acacia Drive. The oaks are specimen trees of high value, playing a major contribution to the character of the area, and their felling would be a major loss to the aesthetic quality of the town. The veteran tree, standing beside a children’s play area, is itself a lesson in nature through the seasons to the children that play there, hosting more life than any other British tree.

“The tree’s position as part of Frome Town Council and Mendip District Council’s recognition of a climate and ecological emergency, and their commitment to take care of the environment is clear. After all, these oaks have been sequestering carbon, absorbing water and providing habitat for wildlife for centuries.

“I strongly argue for retaining these heritage trees, the benefits of their cultural, environmental and aesthetic value as part of Frome’s urban forest, surely outweighing the cost of works to maintain them.”

The application follows the felling of the iconic Cedar of Lebanon tree on Wallbridge Avenue earlier this year, removed due to damage the roots were causing to the neighbouring house.

The felling of the Cedar of Lebanon tree also attracted significant debate among the community, with many residents calling for other options to be explored instead, to repair and prevent the building subsidence, rather than felling the tree.

Residents will now await the decision about the fate of the two oak trees on Acacia Drive, from Somerset Council, as the new unitary council has been formed.

To view the planning application, visit the Somerset Council planning applications website and searching using, 2023/0441/TPO/

Website – h­­ttps://www. somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/view-and-comment-on-a-planning-application/?district=Mendip

Photos by Julian Hight.