Tree surgeon, 50, ‘mistakenly’ chopped down one of Britain’s first ever giant redwoods that had stood for 176 years in ancient woodland to clear space for housing estate, court hears
- Tree surgeon chopped down one of Britain’s first redwood trees ‘by mistake’
- Arwyn Morgan, felled the 90ft tree at the Penllergaer estate in Swansea
- But there was a tree preservation order in place to stop in being chopped down
- Morgan pleaded guilty to contravening a tree preservation order
- The firm who are developing the site and company boss Fiorenzo Sauro have pleaded not guilty
A blundering tree surgeon chopped down one of Britain’s first ever giant redwoods ‘by mistake’ 176 years after it was planted, a court heard.
Self-employed contractor Arwyn Morgan, 50, felled the 90ft tree at the Penllergaer Estate, Swansea, which dates back 1842, to make way for new houses.
But there was a tree preservation order in place to stop the redwood and 70 other trees being chopped down.
The magnificent high tree was planted 10 years before redwood seeds are credited with being brought to Britain from America.
Self-employed contractor Arwyn Morgan, 50, felled the 90ft tree (right) at the Penllergaer Estate, Swansea, which dates back 1842, to make way for new houses
The tree was chopped down ‘by mistake’ by building firm Enzo’s homes – who are developing 80 houses at the site next to the woods (shown)
It was planted by keen botanist John Dillwyn Llewelyn who imported trees from all over the world.
And the sprawling redwood grew 90ft high and five metres in circumference at the forest site in South Wales.
Morgan was contracted to carry out the work by company Enzo Homes Ltd.
Prosecutor Annabel Graham Paul said Swansea council received an anonymous phonecall in November last year saying trees had been felled.
The sprawling redwood (shown) grew 90ft high and five metres in circumference at the forest site in South Wales
Environment bosses are investigating after the historic 176-year-old tree (pictured) brought from North America was felled at a new housing estate
Council tree officer Alan Webster visited the site and spotted the redwood was gone – along with other protected trees.
Mr Webster said: ‘Mr Morgan could not have done this alone. This felling would have needed planning.’
He told the court the cost of replacing the tree would be around £250,000 but added it was ‘irreplaceable’.
Mr Webster said: ‘This is ancient woodland dating back hundreds of years. It is important.’
Morgan pleaded guilty to contravening a tree preservation order at Swansea magistrates.
He will be sentenced in September.
The firm who are developing 80 houses at the site were also brought to court along with company boss Fiorenzo Sauro.
Sauro and the firm have pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues.