20 Metre High "Unsafe" Oak Tree Removed in Lincoln
Residents living near an "unsafe" tree, rising almost 20 metres high, have described the harrowing sight of it being lifted over their homes in Lincoln. The tree, estimated to be an oak that is roughly 100 years old, was removed by the City of Lincoln Council from the rear of a property on Woodfield Avenue in Birchwood. Contractors deemed the tree unsafe due to damage and evacuated neighbouring houses as necessary during its removal.
Evacuation and Removal
The removal occurred on Friday, September 8. Some of the nearby residents witnessed the tree being dexterously lifted over their homes with a crane, while others returned to find a large empty space where the tree had once stood. The tree's removal required the expertise of a crane, which ensured that no significant pieces of the tree fell on the nearby houses.
"If the tree fell it could damage their houses/gardens but when they cut it all the bigger parts had been removed with a big crane. When it came over our house it was scary to see as well as the more heavy parts going over your house and when the kids are in," remarked Nina Vidolova, a Birchwood resident.
Residents' Reflections
The residents expressed mixed emotions about the tree's removal. While the removal resulted in some inconveniences like noise, they acknowledged its necessity. "It was noisy which is normal and understandable and wasn’t a problem to me. I feel bad it's gone because it was nice to have a big tree for all the birds and the environment too," Nina Vidolova added.
Toni Barnard, who has been in Birchwood for 20 years, revealed that she was away during the tree's removal. "When I went home it was very odd not seeing the tree there. The light that now comes into my house is unbelievable," she said, describing the sudden change in her property's appearance.
Client Experience
"The tree was growing from the neighbour's garden which was at the bottom left of me. I had asked a few times for the tree itself to be trimmed back as its branches covered a lot of the bottom of my garden," Toni narrated her previous struggles.
A City of Lincoln Council spokesperson thanked the neighbouring properties for their understanding during the essential works and the Lincolnshire Police for keeping the site secure.