Tree that stood for two centuries to be felled

The tree, which has been killed by disease, is in a play park in Ballaugh

A giant tree planted more than 200 years ago on the Isle of Man is set to be felled in a park after it was discovered to have Dutch elm disease.

Ballaugh Parish Commissioners confirmed the elm tree in the village play park would be cut down "at some stage in the near future".

Chairman of the local authority Steve Curphey said many generations had "played under, around and on this tree and have fond memories" of it.

The commissioners also confirmed it would explore plans to make a carving out of the tree's stump or replant a native tree honouring a nominated local hero.

Dutch elm disease is a fungal infection spread by tiny bark beetles that can rapidly wither and kill healthy trees.

The tree was discovered to have dutch elm disease

The local authority said the tree was thought to be between 200 to 250 years old.

Curphey said due to its location, it had "witnessed the first and last trains into the village" between 1879 and the late 1960s, the building of a new church, a parish hall, and a playpark.

Following the announcement on the authority's Facebook page, local residents said they would be sad to see the tree go.

One described it as being a "big part of my childhood", while another said they had always viewed the tree as being "the heart of Ballaugh".

The large tree has a well-used rope swing attached to it

The commissioners confirmed it had been liaising with the Department of Food, Environment and Agriculture (Defa) to confirm the diseased tree would need to be removed.

The department said no licence was required for the authority to do so, but it would need to be disposed of "in line with biosecurity measures".

That means it must either be burnt on site, stay on site with all branches being chipped and the bark being removed, or be transported under a secure cover to Defa's disease timber burn site at Ballaugh Plantation, a spokesman said.