An Aughton businessman has explained why he had to remove a large tree off his land after his decision was criticised at Aughton Parish Council.

And Ian Mercer, MD of NW Turf on Mickering Lane has denied acting vindictively after Neil Jones of Middlewood Drive complained about his actions.

Mr Jones spoke of how the area had been left in untidy mess and after a short discussion, parish clerk Irene Roberts agreed to contact the LCC footpath officer over the matter.



On Thursday, Mr Mercer told QLocal: "We were contacted by a Mrs I Shepherd, acting as agent for her client, Mrs. Shelagh Routledge.

"We had discussions over the past few months about the tree and the overhanging branches on 37 Middlewood Drive.

"I had offered that if the offending branches were cut off by no. 37, then they could throw them back over to our side of the boundary and we'd take care of them.

"This was refused and we later received a letter from Mrs. Shepherd’s solicitor giving me seven days to remove the tree or remove some affected trunks.



"There was also a tree report which said the tree was at the end of its useful life. The report, written by tree expert Mr Ian G Tupling, said the 'tree in its present state presents a danger and in particular to the owner and visitors of 37 Middlewood Drive'.

"He also recommended it was either removed in its entirety or that the crown and whole of the section of the weakened trunk… and dead section within the crown were removed. He also reported that it was 'unstable and unpredictable'.

"As I am not a tree expert and not skilled to know which trunks to remove and which not to, we removed it completely.

"I first checked with the Borough Council's tree preservation officer, Roland James, who confirmed there was no tree preservation order on it.

"It will still be a benefit to nature and wildlife as we have put it in the corner of the field where it will become a refuge for insects and small mammals.

"I would like to stress that I am very fond of trees and we have planted many thousands over the past few years to grow a woodland. This can be seen along the footpath from Mickering Lane to Brookfield Lane and we are committed to further planting in the coming years.

"It is always sad when a tree needs to be felled but we had little choice in this instance. I am sorry for the upset that his has caused the residents of Middlewood Drive, as they were obviously all fond of the tree."

*NW Turf's tree planting programme can be viewed here:
http://www.onlinelogs.co.uk/environm...ng-program.htm