Christchurch Park was filled with the sound of chainsaws this morning as experts felled the Park’s only Bhutan Pine, which just happened to be tree number one on the Park’s Tree Trail publication. The tree had been in suffering a decline for several years, and a tree survey, conducted by IBC’s tree specialists, had condemned it on safety grounds towards the end of last year.
The first seeds of the Bhutan Pine (Pinus Wallichiana) were brought iback to the UK from their native Himalayas in about 1826, and seedlings were marketed by nurseries from around 1836. It seems likely that the Park’s example was planted near that time.
The Friends of Christchurch Park have made representations to the Council that a replacement Bhutan Pine should be planted in a suitable location within the Park.