Greystones’ Tallest Tree Gets The Chop

Knockrath 4JUNE20

The emails and calls started arriving early this morning, as those passing along Church Lane heard the chainsaws…

And then, looking over the fresh hoarding, seen one of the town’s oldest trees – and its tallest – going under the blades.

A quick chat to one of the men employed to do the work explained that the new owners of Knockrath apparently had no choice, having been told that they couldn’t get their new home insured as it was within falling range of this old eucalyptus tree.

This 111-year-old giant eucalyptus tree, to be exact. On a lane with, sadly, no preservation orders on trees. The new owners are as upset as anyone else though that they can’t keep it.

One of those taking note of this morning’s chainsaw buzz is local resident Eve O’Hara, who asked us to share this message…

I just wanted to let everyone know what is happening on the Knockrath site on Church Lane today.

A large eucalyptus tree, planted in 1909 and known to be tallest tree in Greystones is in the process of being cut down today – it has been paused now but will resume. The tree is perfectly viable.

I’m really concerned over whether this should be allowed to take place due to its heritage and the heritage of the site, and personally have seen no plans for its removal in any planning permission posted. The site has already suffered a large amount of prominent tree felling, including an ash tree that grew from what was labelled a sandpit after 1837 and a Rath beforehand on the Ordinance Survey of Ireland. The eucalyptus tree is extremely special and will be missed not only due to its history but the character it brings to church lane and for miles around.

It’s our heritage, and there’s so much history attached to these trees, just as much as these houses have. I completely respect the new owner of Knockrath and wish them all the best on their new project to renovate their home, which undoubtedly will be beautiful, but I implore them, please stop cutting down trees, particularly trees such as this beautiful eucalyptus.

You can find out about trees in urban boroughs here, tree felling licence exemptions here, and Wildlife Act restrictions on 0761002667. There’s also a petition here.