Iconic tree to be felled in Wallingford after expert view

The horse chestnut on the Kine Croft in Wallingford has been monitored for years by arboriculture specialists, who reported more recent signs of disease despite previous pruning.

Wallingford Town Council said: “It is with real sadness that we share our intention to remove the historic Horse Chestnut tree on the Kine Croft.

“For generations, this tree has been a familiar part of Wallingford’s landscape and has been part of the lives of countless residents and visitors.

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“We know how much it means to our community, which is why this has been an incredibly difficult decision.”

Located in one of the town’s busiest public open spaces and close to neighbouring homes, the tree’s failing health presents a safety risk.

The council said it has a legal duty of care to protect public safety.

Remedial pruning had previously been carried out in an attempt to prolong the tree’s life, but repeated inspections—including specialist internal decay-detection surveys—confirmed that it could not be safely retained.

Because the tree stands within a Conservation Area, formal consent is required before any work can take place.

The council said: “An application has therefore been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council, and no work will be carried out until that process has been determined.”

A dedicated webpage has been created to keep residents informed about the decision and next steps.

The council said: “We’ve created a dedicated webpage where you can find out more about the tree, the reasons behind this decision and what happens next.”