Charity 'saddened' as storm claims historical tree

The tree was estimated to be well over 100 years old, perhaps 150, the charity said

A sycamore tree which came down on the day Storm Éowyn caused disruption across the West Midlands was estimated to be well over 100 years old, a charity said.

The tree was on a 75-acre (30.3-hectare) area to the north of Stone in Staffordshire, called the Common Plot.

It was one of about 15 "significant" trees aged at least 80 years old in the area of Mount Road, The Plot - the charity which runs the site - said.

A trustee of the group for 50 years, retired horticulturalist Martin Robinson, 81, said he was heartbroken and "extremely concerned" that with the "climate going crazy, we may lose more trees".

"There's a danger of losing these irreplaceable mature trees," he added.

Mr Robinson said he had the impression many trees were planted at the same time.

The Mount Road pasture was "dotted with various trees such as sycamore and horse chestnut and these are outstanding".

There was "aesthetic" appeal and the tree that fell on Friday provided shelter and shade for cattle in the summer.

Mr Robinson said the charity was "duty-bound" to only replace existing trees and he would endeavour to replace this one, near the fallen one, with an oak tree.

But he added: "I'm saddened by the loss because I know it can't be replaced in my lifetime or the next person's lifetime."

The trustee explained it would take 50 or 60 years to get something "of environmental impact, to stand out as something that's useful".

Martin Robinson has planted trees all around the Stone area

Mr Robinson said for a tree, "you can't put a value on it".

"They are nature's own solar panels...gobbling up carbon dioxide."

The treasurer stated that on a recent BBC Woman's Hour programme at Stone Common Plot, a walking group started its exercise by the tree that has now fallen.

It would cost hundreds of pounds to get it moved, he said, adding that in a previous storm a lime tree in another field of the Plot fell across a public footpath.

"It's a major job. We are a registered charity and don't have unlimited funds," he said.

"People are very emotive about Stone Common Plot, because people have grown up [with it] from children.

"When something goes wrong, there's an outpouring of sorrow."