Many local residents of Rye are deeply saddened by the felling of a large cedar tree in Rye Cemetery. It was part of their childhood and had special memories for them.
Emily Brodrick-Stewart had this to say: "The local community should have been consulted before the decision to fell the tree was made. The local council should have shared the findings on the report and had open and transparent communication with the people of the town so they could understand why the decision was made and included in discussions on what should be done with the leftover wood. This has been such a shock to everyone it almost feels underhand almost cowardly and as a community we have been disregarded which has made us all outraged."
Tony Edwards, a resident of Rye, was shocked to see the tree was no longer there: "It is a very sad day. When I was very young my grandad was the grave digger and he and my grandmother lived in the cemetery cottage at the top. I have fond memories of my childhood and the imposing tree which seemed to tower over us youngsters."
Rother District Councillor Simon McGurk sent the following to Rye News: "Very sadly the much loved cedar at Rye Cemetery had to be felled this week following a professional and comprehensive arborist report. The risk of limbs beginning to fall in the coming years could not be reasonably mitigated after the tree began to suffer from fungal attacks and degradation to its crown."
The report explained:
'The tree’s rooting system and the soils that support the tree as a living organism are damaged. A minimum of two structural root decay fungi are present, both have the potential to lead to structural root/low stem breakage. Armillaria species can’t be ruled out either given the overall crown condition. On this basis (and as a result of physiological decline), this tree is likely to drop limbs as a minimum or suffer a structural root shear failure in the years ahead (if it does not die first). Managers of the cemetery site will understand that the access road and chapel building targets cannot be moved. This places further pressure on the tree and on-going damage is taking place.'
"Your local Rother Councillors are working with local community groups to find a sculptor to fashion a lasting and fitting memorial for the magnificent tree, supporting grant applications to fund the sculpture (work on the timber is subject to the application's success), working with a local woodworking and timber expert who has volunteered to make benches to be placed in the cemetery and possibly find other uses for the timber, conducting a poll via their Facebook page on what species of tree ought to replace the cedar.
"If grant applications are successful and providing we can engage a sculptor a further poll will be offered on what residents would prefer the subject to be. If you are a local wood or chainsaw sculptor and you would like to be involved please contact cllr.simon.mcgurk@rother.gov.uk."
Correction
The original version of this article said that Councillor McGurk represented Rye Town Council, it should have stated he is a Rother District Councillor.
