Residents angry after tree cut 'over resin drips'

Residents are upset a century-old tree in Mitcham was so badly damaged

Residents living on south London street say they are "outraged" after a man hacked into a century-old lime tree, apparently in anger over resin dripping on to his car.

The tree on Rustic Avenue in Mitcham was so badly damaged earlier this month that it will have to be removed, Merton Council has said.

"We care about our trees, so we felt really violated," said resident Resina Chowdhury. "Just to think someone has done this to a 100-year-old tree. Even if we get a replacement, it's going to take a long, long time for anything to fill the void."

The council added: "We are planting 1,000 new trees this autumn, and we will make sure one of them is planted at this location."

Ms Chowdhury told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) her daughter witnessed the attack on 6 August.

"She was doing a piano lesson with a neighbour at the time, and she saw the tree being cut with a chainsaw," she said.

"I heard all this noise, and when my neighbour asked the man, he admitted that he had damaged the tree and that it was a spontaneous decision."

Lime trees produce resin, but when the trunk is cut the flow of nutrients is blocked

Ms Chowdhury said her neighbours were furious after hearing about it on the local WhatsApp group.

"We were just outraged, there were lots and lots of messages flying off on the group about this.

"People kind of knew who it was, but no one really wanted to say," she said.

According to the LDRS, the man admitted to the piano teacher that he attacked the tree out of frustration at resin dripping on to his car.

Lime trees produce resin, but when the trunk is cut the flow of nutrients is blocked, leaving it to starve.

"We are a really tight-knit community, and we look out for each other," said Ms Chowdhury. "We have community events every Christmas, and we decorate the lime trees with Christmas lights.

"A lot of people in the area admire the trees on our road; our anxiety is whether the council will be able to replace them," she added.

Merton councillor Linda Kirby told the residents the local highway team had picked up on the matter and was working with the local tree warden. The matter was also referred to the council's anti-social behaviour unit, and police have confirmed that an investigation is now under way.

A spokesperson for Merton Council said: "Unfortunately, due to the severity of the damage and safety concerns, we will be removing the tree.

"We are working with the police to ensure that appropriate action is taken."

The LDRS said it has not been able to contact the resident accused of attacking the tree.