Whether you call it the ‘Wonky Tree’ or the ‘Leaning Tree’, it’s the end of an era for one of Bedford Park’s much-loved and quirkier features as yesterday the 100-year-old tree was taken down after being damaged by Storm Bert.
Following the weekend’s high winds, the tree was checked by a council tree officer who found that the root plate had lifted. As a result, there was an increased lean on the tree which it was decided created a further safety risk.
The tree’s lean has been monitored for the last five year, with measurements showing the lean had increased to a total of 12 cm, and had gradually sped up by early 2024.
Now leaning at what looks like an angle close to 45 degrees and with further damage, yesterday (Tuesday) tree surgeons removed the tree.
A council spokesperson said they understood the news would be “disappointing for some, but safety is our top priority”
Read: Council confirms Bedford Park’s “dangerous” ‘wonky tree’ will come down
“A number of options had been considered to see if the tree could be saved, but none could guarantee both the survival of the tree and the continued use of the car parking area.
“We are exploring options for replacing the tree with a new, suitable species that will thrive in the park,” added the spokesperson.
Bedford Borough Council said that in the last tree planting season, November 2023 to March 2024, they planted over 11,000 trees and gave away a further 5,000 to local people, schools and businesses to plant on their land.
They are now exploring options for replacing Bedford Park’s leaning tree with a new, suitable species that they say “will thrive in the park”.
