A massive holm oak located in the southern section of the gardens bounded by Pittville Crescent and Albert Road came down in the storms before Christmas. Tree officers plan to pull the root plate back into position in the hope of enabling the tree to regrow, but most of its branches had to be removed. While the loss of the mature tree is sad, a part of one of its larger branches will live on in the park as it has been set aside for a sculpture to be placed near the aviaries later this year.
Author: Andy Hopkins