TreetreeTREE

It takes remarkably little time to cut down and remove a tree that has been growing for decades or centuries. Trees or parts of trees, often much loved, disappear for many reasons: our seeming aversion to risk; during a strong wind; struck by disease; and for lesser reasons, too.

The photographs in this section are just a sample of what happens all over the country. First, notably and most regrettably, Britain’s “most expensive tree” lost its amazing low-level, horizontal branch that extended over an enormously long distance. It was a tragic loss due to fear of collapse from rot near the stem. By contrast, many trees are braced or propped to maintain important limbs.