British Airways pilot Gareth Williams-Gardner (pictured), 45, and his company director neighbour have been prosecuted for chopping 15 branches off a protected tree outside of their luxury home, in Poole, Dorset

British Airways pilot Gareth Williams-Gardner (pictured), 45, and his company director neighbour have been prosecuted for chopping 15 branches off a protected tree outside of their luxury home, in Poole, Dorset

A British Airways pilot and his company director neighbour have been prosecuted for chopping 15 branches off a protected tree outside of their luxury homes. 

Gareth Williams-Gardner, 45, and David Evans, 39, ignored the protected status of the mature cedar and climbed up to remove 15 branches.

The pair believed the 50ft tall specimen posed a danger to their young children as branches had begun to fall from it.

But following their DIY handiwork, it now looks ‘disfigured’ and bare. 

There are fears it won’t recover from the radical work as there is now little to protect it from the winter winds.

The cedar, that is on the grounds of Mr Williams-Gardner’s £750,000 home near Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for 36 years, meaning any work to it has to be approved by the local council.

But the pilot and neighbour Mr Evans, who runs an IT consultancy, took it upon themselves to saw the crown back without getting prior permission.

The cedar, that is on the grounds of Mr Williams-Gardner's £750,000 home near Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for 36 years, meaning any work to it has to be approved by the local council

The cedar, that is on the grounds of Mr Williams-Gardner's £750,000 home near Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for 36 years, meaning any work to it has to be approved by the local council

The cedar, that is on the grounds of Mr Williams-Gardner's £750,000 home near Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for 36 years, meaning any work to it has to be approved by the local council

The cedar, that is on the grounds of Mr Williams-Gardner's £750,000 home near Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for 36 years, meaning any work to it has to be approved by the local council

 The cedar, that is on the grounds of Mr Williams-Gardner’s £750,000 home near Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for 36 years, meaning any work to it has to be approved by the local council

The two neighbours claimed the straggly tree posed a risk to life and property as debris had started falling from it.

Both men felt their young children were in danger of being hit by falling branches. 

Mr Williams-Gardner had also been told he would be liable if any debris injured pedestrians or damaged cars in the road because the tree is on his land.

Ten years ago the former owners of the two properties unsuccessfully applied to the council to have the same tree felled.

Gareth Williams-Gardner, 45, and David Evans, 39, ignored the protected status of the mature cedar and climbed up to remove 15 branches. The pair believed the 50ft tall specimen posed a danger to their young children as branches had begun to fall from it

Gareth Williams-Gardner, 45, and David Evans, 39, ignored the protected status of the mature cedar and climbed up to remove 15 branches. The pair believed the 50ft tall specimen posed a danger to their young children as branches had begun to fall from it

Gareth Williams-Gardner, 45, and David Evans, 39, ignored the protected status of the mature cedar and climbed up to remove 15 branches. The pair believed the 50ft tall specimen posed a danger to their young children as branches had begun to fall from it

Gareth Williams-Gardner, 45, and David Evans, 39, ignored the protected status of the mature cedar and climbed up to remove 15 branches. The pair believed the 50ft tall specimen posed a danger to their young children as branches had begun to fall from it

Gareth Williams-Gardner, 45, and David Evans, 39, ignored the protected status of the mature cedar and climbed up to remove 15 branches. The pair believed the 50ft tall specimen posed a danger to their young children as branches had begun to fall from it

On that occasion a large branch had snapped off in strong winds, prompting safety concerns.

A horrified neighbour complained to Poole Borough Council in July after seeing the stripped back tree following Mr Williams-Gardner’s and Mr Evans’ handiwork.

An investigation resulted in the pair being charged with contravening a TPO by wilfully damaging the cedar.

They both admitted the charge and were fined £1,500 each and ordered to pay a total of £800 in costs and victim surcharge.

The incident happened some time between July 19 to July 26 this year.

A horrified neighbour complained to Poole Borough Council in July after seeing the stripped back tree following Mr Williams-Gardner's and Mr Evans' handiwork

A horrified neighbour complained to Poole Borough Council in July after seeing the stripped back tree following Mr Williams-Gardner's and Mr Evans' handiwork

A horrified neighbour complained to Poole Borough Council in July after seeing the stripped back tree following Mr Williams-Gardner’s and Mr Evans’ handiwork

Andy Dearing, of Poole Borough Council, which brought the prosecution, said: ‘They decided the tree in Mr Williams-Gardner’s front garden was, in their view, a health and safety hazard.

‘They said bits were starting to fall out of the tree.

‘They shinned up the tree and cut off a significant number of branches.

‘What is surprising is that these are both professional individuals and they didn’t seek permission and get a professional in to do the work.

‘They took the view that they were just going to get on and do it.

‘Fifteen branches were removed and we found three large rubble bags filled up with logs.

‘The tree has been significantly disfigured and stripped back. The amenity value of the tree to the street scene has been mullered.

‘It is still living but there is a concern that it will not recover. The branches absorb the wind and the more you take off the more the tree suffers the impact of wind damage.’ 

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