Campaigners hit out at ancient Ally Pally tree removal plans
Ben Bloom
ALEXANDRA Park residents are fighting to save two ancient trees after a notice appeared on the weekend warning of their impending removal.
The 200 to 400-year-old oak trees, which are located in the park, are due to be removed on Wednesday for health and safety reasons due to decaying wood.
But park users have reacted angrily to the news arguing the plans have been agreed too hastily.
Lynne Zilkha, of Cranbourne Road, said: "It's happened far too quickly for what is going on.
"There have been no open consultations and we don't even know if any of the alternative options have been explored.
"We would like a second opinion and for everything to be made open. Cutting down the tree is really not the first thing you do.
"We are very concerned that a precedent will be set and all the oak trees in the park will be cut down.
"We're not just worried about these two trees. Our argument is that if this happens, no oak is safe."
The decision to remove the trees has been taken by Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust, who run the park, because the percentage of sound wood is not high enough to support either tree, both of which are located in high priority areas.
But campaigners and councillors have asked the leader of the council to suspend the removals pending a second opinion and a public consultation.
Muswell Hill councillor Jonathan Bloch said: "Obviously there's a safety issue that has to taken into account but I think there should be more consideration over the future of the trees and the need to preserve our ancestry."
One of the trees was one of the original boundary markers of The Grove Estate in 18th century.
Campaigners have said they will protest against the action on Wednesday if the removal hasn't been suspended by then.
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