A leaning oak tree that poses a danger to Keswick Cricket Club’s pavilion is to be felled.
It follows an incident when part of a mature oak tree behind the cricket club pavilion came down and almost crashed through the roof of the building.
The trunk of the oak tree snapped during Storm Arwen in December and Keith Richardson, the groundsman and publicity officer at Keswick CC, said the club had a “fortunate escape”.
He wrote to Keswick parks manager Christine Fawcett and to the Fitz Park, Hope Park and Townsfield Charitable Trusts calling for action to be taken to axe a number of trees that he says pose a threat to the pavilion during the more intense storms that are being more regularly experienced.
In his email, Mr Richardson said that at the latest meeting of the cricket club’s committee, the situation surrounding the trees near the pavilion was discussed in light of the tree that snapped off half way up its trunk.
“I am sure that you would agree that we had a fortunate escape in that, had the tree come down to its full length, and not cracked off from a position half way up, it would have inflicted considerable damage to the cricket pavilion,’’ said Mr Richardson in his letter.
“Our concern now is that other oaks in the immediate vicinity pose a direct threat to the pavilion in the event of other storms that are bound to happen in due course.
“I can readily identify one tree that is already leaning towards the pavilion and is heading in only one direction should it be felled by a storm.
“We dread to think of the damage that could be caused and fear that it could put us out of action as a club if, as it seems likely, one crashed through the roof.
“Depending on where it landed it would probably also damage important machinery and fittings into the bargain.
“That tree is not the only one that poses a threat and we ask that consideration is given to the professional felling of all potentially dangerous trees in the area to the rear of the building.
‘‘We appreciate that many trees in the park are now nearing the end of their lifespan and pose an increasingly worrying scenario for the park and an increased threat during the more intense storms we regularly experience.
‘‘However, we feel that those trees which are an immediate threat to buildings should receive priority and we would appreciate the views of yourself and the park trustees.’’
During Storm Arwen, which came before Storm Barra, a couple walking in Fitz Park were taken to hospital when they were injured by a tree that came down in the strong
winds.
Mr Richardson’s letter was discussed by the Fitz Park, Hope Park and Townsfield Charitable Trusts, which agreed to the removal of the one tree and suggested three more oak trees be planted to replace it.
