Sweet gum tree to replace town square 'landmark'

Derbyshire Dales District Council said the tree was in poor health and needed to be removed

A sweet gum tree is set to be planted in Ashbourne town centre to replace a "poor specimen" being removed.

Derbyshire Dales District Council said in August the Norway maple tree in Victoria Square, which was previously described as being a "constant landmark", would have to be removed after it was found to be in poor health, prompting an angry reaction online.

Problems with its root health and stability were discovered during the £15.9m Ashbourne Reborn project.

The replacement will be planted as part of the ongoing improvement works, along with a root protection system.

Problems with the tree's root health were discovered during regeneration work

The maple tree had been intended to be a feature of the ongoing highways and public realm project, led by Derbyshire County Council.

But when exposed by resurfacing work in Victoria Square, a district council tree officer found the maple had been fed through a small hole in a layer of concrete when it was planted decades ago, with unfavourable soil conditions below.

An independent arborist has since confirmed "the tree is considered a poor specimen with limited potential for recovery", and recommended the removal of the tree, the district council said.

A sweet gum will replace the maple in the centre of Ashbourne

District councillor David Hughes, chair of the Ashbourne Reborn Programme Board, said the replacement would be "a tree of size that will be appropriate for its setting in the public square".

The replacement sweet gum, donated by contractor Galliford Try, will be a "relatively large specimen" at about 4m (13.1ft) tall.

The council added it was known for its glossy, maple-like foliage and "stunning orange, crimson and purple" colours in autumn.

County councillor Steve Bull, ward member for Ashbourne South, said: "I know a lot of people are disappointed to hear that the tree needs to be removed.

"Although it is a great shame, I am reassured that the replacement tree will be a suitable size and species for our historic square."