Anger at BCP Council tree felling at Evening Hill

BCP Council has been felling trees at Evening Hill due to them being “unsuitable” for the location.

However, the move has angered residents, with one man questioning what gives the authority the right to chop down “non-native trees”.

John Duffield, from Poole, said: “Years ago, the whole land was covered in 1,000 feet of ice. Everything that is here is non-native, I think it’s wrong to chop down trees as a conservation exercise.

“This is not conservation work. Evening Hill is a lovely place, it’s a beautiful park with a gorgeous view, you have no right to go down chopping trees because they are non-native species.

“It feels like green hypocrisy to be felling trees in the name of conservation.”

Lilliput resident Alison Warner described it as a “shame” and said the trees have been suitable “for the last 60 years”.

She said: “There’s enormous piles of logs, obviously they are still clearing it.

“It’s changed the character of the area. It was a beautiful specimen, lovely Holm Oak trees just gone.

“They have been suitable there for the last 60 years. It is a shame, nesting season is coming up.

“It doesn’t look very pretty and it seems hypocritical the council will prosecute people who chop down trees in their garden that might not be suitable and they have gone and done this.”

Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment and place, said: “Evening Hill is part of the Luscombe Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), noted for its acidic grassland habitats which support many plant and animal communities, and as such, we are undertaking work to restore the SSSI, boosting access to nature and supporting our health and wellbeing.

“Unfortunately, the Holm Oak trees growing here are unsuitable for this location as they are a non-native invasive species and can be a threat to the SSSI designation as they quickly spread and their thick, evergreen canopies can prevent any acidic grasslands from growing below them which would be disastrous in the long term and will contribute to a reduction in wildlife diversity.

“We have a legal obligation to protect and enhance all our SSSIs and if not managed, this special site could lose its designation and we would lose another part of the complex of heathland sites which together comprise the Dorset Heathlands.

“We started work to remove the trees on January 31, replacing them with a grass seed mix suitable for the acidic soil, which is expected to take approximately two weeks. We will also be undertaking work to repair the fencing and benches later in the spring.”

Ward councillor Mohan Iyengar said he fully supported the work and said it would maintain the area for local residents.

He said: “Everything being done there is to protect and enhance it as an open space. The trees are not favoured by Natural England and they are native to just two types of insect.

“It’s been though through completely and we weren’t going to take any risks with cliff stability. The trees being removed are dead or dying and will allow for more of the natural flora which will make it much better. When the Active Travel money came in we leapt at the chance for the work.”