Save This Tree campaign battles to keep a fine London Plane from the axe

Local campaigners are battling hard to save a large London Plane tree in Redcross Way, SE1 1TD, which the local council is trying to axe because it has become an “insurance liability,” with the application coming from the landowner (Diocese of Southwark). 

(Note: see happy update at the foot of this article!). 

Posters have appeared all around the tree’s location and a website explains why all of these trees should be preserved:

These London Plane trees cannot be judged only as an insurance liability.’

This is Redcross way SE1 which is Octavia Hill country- she created Redcross Gardens, she was co founder of National Trust, a memorial service was held for her at Southwark Cathedral .

Octavia Hill persuaded the church commissioners to provide green space – in conjunction with developments. These London Plane trees are the GREEN part of the heritage of London.

These London Plane trees must be maintained for future generations – this is OUR responsibility.

The large GREEN canopy of the mature London Plane trees are the necessary lungs of our urban environment.
An urgent review /a tree register and revising TPOs must be generated to protect the Borough trees

Maintenance programs must be afforded. Tomorrow is too late.

The poster gives details about how to complain about the proposed cutting down of the tree.

Above it, a wag has added, “put this axe over Boris Johnsons head.”

See the tree location on Google Maps.

UPDATE: I’m delighted to learn that the tree has in fact been saved. According to @SE1, “council tree officer wouldn’t entertain idea of felling it.”  Huzzah!