Fears English Civil War tree in Caversham will be cut down

Recently, a plan was submitted to build a new three-bedroom home on land in Gayhurst Close in Caversham.

However, the construction of the home would require the felling of an oak tree that’s been around for hundreds of years.

According to the former owner of the tree, it was used by parliamentary forces during the English Civil War in April, 1643, as a ‘spy tree’ to spot the Royalist forces of King Charles I.

This heritage has led to the tree being named ‘The King’s Spy Oak’ by campaigner Rob McBride, the self-styled 'tree hunter.' 

Mr McBride's name for it has been acknowledged by the Woodland Trust, which has listed the tree in its Ancient Tree Inventory as an Ancient Tree of National Special Interest.

The oak has a Tree Preservation Order placed on it.

The King's Spy Oak at Gayhurst Close in Caversham. Credit: Sarah Hanson, Reading Tree Wardens

The plan has been submitted by Chair Homes.

On the issue of the oak tree, the agents on behalf of the applicants wrote in a planning statement:  “No buildings would be demolished to facilitate the development.

“The only impact would be the loss of the existing tree.

“Due to the limited canopy, the species and the fact the tree is diseased and in a state of decline, the biodiversity offering of this tree is limited.

“Typically, an old tree such as this Oak would have relatively significant ecological merit, however, the fact that the tree is in decline must be considered.”

Furthermore, Chair Homes has committed to planting at least two trees – one at the front and one at the back of the proposed home, which its agents say would result in a ‘100 per cent uplift in trees’.

The floorplans and elevations for the home to the side of 19 Gayhurst Close, Caversham. Credit: Chair Homes Ltd

However, the plan has already attracted a deluge of objections.

An objection submitted by Emma Bennett argued against claims the tree is in decline, submitting a counter argument that a rotting oak tree is ‘a vital and increasingly rare eco-system’ that supports 1,800 invertebrate species such as spiders, flies, worms and snails, meaning the few remaining examples of such trees are of national importance.

She said: “The short stature and decaying state of the tree appear to be entirely typical, and it needs to be allowed to age slowly at its own pace.

‘Short-term death’ for an ancient oak may take another 50 or 100 years or more.”

Emma Bennett added that the ‘heart rot’ only begins when the tree is 300 years old or more, citing an article in The New Scientist.

She added:  “Current government guidelines state ‘you should refuse planning permission if development will result in the loss or deterioration of ancient trees and veteran trees unless there are wholly exceptional reasons’; which is clearly not the case here.

“One new house cannot be worth the felling of such a rare and important veteran tree.”

The canopy of the Kings Spy Oak in Gayhurst Close, Caversham, which has a Tree Preservation Order on it. Credit: Jennifer Leach

Fellow objector Jennifer Leach said: “The ancient tree standing on this site is exceptional – historically, ecologically, and in terms of statuesque beauty.

“It would be an act of vandalism if it were to be felled for any reason; to be felled in order to make way for a highly unimaginative private dwelling squeezed into a small garden, would be the epitome of greed.

“Greed was never pretty; in end times such as these, it has become ecocidal.”

Additionally, the application has become the subject of a campaign by Reading Tree Wardens.

A spokesperson said:  “Reading Tree Wardens strongly object to the application to build a house in a way which would result in the loss of this ancient and historic 700 year old English Oak.

“The tree holds a Tree Preservation Order and is recognised by The Woodland Trust in their Ancient Tree Inventory, also having the special designation of a Tree of National Special Interest.

“Ancient trees are exceptionally valuable as very few trees of any species become ancient.

“They are irreplaceable – nothing can compensate for their loss which cannot be mitigated by replacement tree planting.

“By their very nature, ancient trees have areas of decay and hollowing, this only goes to enhance their biodiversity and habitat value.

“The vast response to the Reading Tree Wardens’ information campaign indicate that it is considered a National Treasure.”

You can view the application by typing reference 221909 into the council’s planning portal.