Plan B Forum

Residents are outraged at a council's 'ludicrous' plans to chop down four apple trees because the fruit which falls to the ground is a 'tripping hazard'.



The large trees have sat in the heart of Westwood in Wiltshire for over 30 years and the apples are eaten by locals who also use them to make cider and jam.

But four of the five trees have now been earmarked to be cut down after the fallen fruit was deemed a health and safety risk.

The trees line a footpath and the local parish council has apparently said people might stumble on the fruit - making them dangerous.


Nearly 200 people have signed a petition against the proposals with organisers saying the trees face the chop because the fruit was deemed a tripping risk.

Villager David McQueen, 56, who launched the petition in November, has condemned the plans to destroy the four mature apple trees labelling it 'eco vandalism'.

Mr McQueen said: 'They are fantastic trees and so far over 150 people have signed my petition to save them, which is amazing considering the size of the village.

'This is the last chance to save these beautiful trees that are a resource for the children and residents of the village, for birds and insects and which provide habitat for wildlife.

'Cutting them down would be an act of eco vandalism. Westwood Parish Council want to cut down four of Westwood Park's apple trees.

A comment on the petition from Diana Lindsey said: 'These trees were planted by the Parish Council over 30 years ago for the people of Westwood to gather the fruit and for the wildlife to also benefit.

'It is ridiculous to chop them down on the pathetic excuse that someone might trip over the fallen apples.

'People can look where they are going and the trees can be left to continue to help protect the planet.'

Another petitioner, Polly, wrote: 'In a world where we need to be thinking about planting more trees and reducing emissions, the reasoning behind cutting down these trees that are causing no harm seems ludicrous.'

Janine Sparks added: 'Please do not cut down these trees! Put a sign up instead warning people to watch their step!!!!

'We need more trees, not less, and an apple tree provides food for people and wildlife.'

'My little boy loves picking apples up from this tree on our way to the park,' Emma Wilkinson added.

Roger Coleman, clerk to Westwood Parish Council, said that after a 'lengthy discussion' at their meeting on December 6 they have resolved to invite Nick Cranston, of Acer Tree Surgeons, to take action 'in respect' of a Scots pine close to the play area and the four apple trees in the park.

Mr McQueen added that he still doesn't understand the council's reasons for chopping the trees down.

He said: 'After speaking to two members of the Parish Council extensively for half an hour, I still didn't understand a logical reason for their decision to cut down the apple trees.

'The only reason they gave was an overhanging branch of one of the tree's bushes was dropping apples onto the path.

'Another reason the council stated was the trees were 'self-seeded' but actually this is not the case, the apple trees were planted by the council years ago.

'Having heard all the arguments the community members gave for not cutting the trees down - protecting biodiversity, supporting local cider brewers, our current climate crisis and so much more - the council had made their decision to destroy the trees anyway.

'I now believe we may have a chance at saving these beautiful trees, but only because of all the negative publicity.'

ex-khobar Andy wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:30 pm

Unfortunately now that someone has started the ball rolling, there may be no good solution. The council has been informed that there is a danger of slippage. Someone - and it just takes one - will bang his head and instead of saying "O shit, I should look where I am going" the way most of us will do, will take it into said damaged head to sue the council for £££ on the grounds that they allowed a known hazardous condition to persist, and some idiot judge and/or jury will decide that someone's gotta pay. Too late.

Long Run wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 4:50 pm

I totally agree with the heading. My blood pressure surges every time I use my MacBook. What happened to the days when Apples were so much easier than PCs; total reversal, my PC at work is far more intuitive and simple to use. No right click, wtf.

Sue U wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 3:24 pm

ex-khobar Andy wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:30 pm

Unfortunately now that someone has started the ball rolling, there may be no good solution. The council has been informed that there is a danger of slippage. Someone - and it just takes one - will bang his head and instead of saying "O shit, I should look where I am going" the way most of us will do, will take it into said damaged head to sue the council for £££ on the grounds that they allowed a known hazardous condition to persist, and some idiot judge and/or jury will decide that someone's gotta pay. Too late.

This is not personal injury liability lawsuit issue; this is a town council "health & safety" issue. Don't make this about lawsuits which have never been filed, you're playing into the hands of corporate interests who want people to believe that all personal injury claims are frivolous.

Econoline wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:14 pm

Long Run wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 4:50 pm

I totally agree with the heading. My blood pressure surges every time I use my MacBook. What happened to the days when Apples were so much easier than PCs; total reversal, my PC at work is far more intuitive and simple to use. No right click, wtf.

LR, you win this thread!

Burning Petard wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:25 pm

.....Besides, according to the picture, the tree is desperately in need of pruning.....

Scooter wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 7:21 pm

Perhaps the 200 people who signed the petition could commit to picking up 20 or 30 fallen apples every time they pass by - problem solved.

Gob wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 6:32 am

If it were near me I'd be making scrumpy from them.

Scumble

Scumble is made from apples.  Well, mainly apples, which in no way guarantees a low alcohol content.  Scumble is drunk in thimblefuls, is strong enough to be used for cleaning spoons, and should not be put in a metal container or allowed to come into contact with water.  Someone who can drink a lot of scumble all at once without ill effects is probably not really human.  Authentic scumble is made in Lancre, in a secret still owned and operated by Nanny Ogg.  Nanny welcomed King Verence II's decree of prohibition, as she reckoned it would leave her with no competitors.

She does have many small competitors, most using freeze-distillation like some Applejack.  Other producers ferment pure apple juice and freeze high-proof popskull out of it, a notorious beverage down into the plains.  Nanny Ogg will only list her ingredients as "apples, mostly"; her brandy manages to be much more potent than normal brandy.  A well-ordered still can increase the proof and eliminate unpleasant by-products, and a few minor additions from a witch's pharmacopoeia can work wonders.  Nanny Ogg's prowess with alcoholic beverages is well-known — as is her product, known everywhere that men fall over backwards into ditches as 'suicider'.

The best apples for making scumble are:  Lancre Blackheart, the Golden Disagreeable, and the Green Billet.

Related Roundworld drinks:  Calvados (strong apple brandy distilled in Normandy), Apple Brandy and Scrumpy (which have long been produced in Somerset), and Applejack (made in North America) — and a flattering imitation by Ales by Mail, 'Nanny Ogg's Scumble Cider'.
(from 'L-Space', the Discworld Wiki)