Isle of Wight Umbrella Tree of East Cowes to lose its barriers

The barriers that have long been erected around the tree are due to come down, following safety work undertaken by volunteers this morning.

The tree was planted more than a century ago, by Queen Victoria's former roads manager.

The tree has been threatened for years with being chopped down, due to it being deemed unsafe and dying from disease.

Tree surgeons giving up their time, Christian Hart, Pete Abraham and Frank Bull (Image: Pamela Parker)

An inspection of the tree carried out for the Isle of Wight Council in 2017 found it had a fungal infection.

It needed help to remain standing, and has received support from locals, and even had celebrity endorsement when Chris Packham Tweeted his support for a campaign to save the tree.

Safety barriers have long been an unsightly feature around the tree, which stands opposite Co-op.

Today, tree surgeons have spent their own free time fitting strapping to the tree, to make it safe.

Tree surgeon Christian Hart up the Umbrella Tree (Image: Pamela Parker)

This will allow the barriers to be removed, setting the tree free.

Cllr Karl Love, ward member for the area, said: "Finally, after ten months of captivity the Umbrella Tree is going to be set free later today after a wonderful effort by the friends of East Cowes Umbrella Tree and East Cowes Community Partnership worked together to raise funds and sort out the many technical issues.

"Only last week I wrote to the IW Council threatening to remove the fencing if they didn’t do something in removing it. 

"Support straps are now being fitted and hopefully the fencing will come down later today today. If not today then ASAP."