An Ipswich couple has been left "broken hearted" as a beloved 140-year-old tree in their garden was left needing to be cut down.
A permanent feature in their lives, Mike and Joan Jeanes were saddened to discover that the beloved beech tree at the bottom of their garden in Belstead Road had become diseased and was dying.
The couple noticed that the tree's canopy was thinner this year, and that patches of bark were missing, and then consulted a tree surgeon, who discovered that the beech was diseased.
They made the decision to have it cut down yesterday (Tuesday, October 17), after living in the house for around 14 years.
Mike Jeanes said: "We love this tree to bits but unfortunately it is dying. It has a fungal disease, and the canopy this year is about half of what is usually is.
"There were lots of signs that the tree was not doing well - the bark is coming off the side of the tree in big patches, which looked like a wound, and the canopy was noticeably thinner - so we had to get a tree surgeon in to look at it.
"We believe the tree was planted in the grounds of what was Stoke House, and all of the land had big trees on it as part of the estate of Stoke House.
"A tree man estimated that it was 140 years old, but Stoke House was about 1830 so it may even be older than that.
"Our neighbours are saddened too; one of them said they loved our tree."
His wife Joan added: "We are just broken hearted that it is dying. Sadly, it has got to go.
"We would urge people to not cut their trees down unnecessarily. This tree would easily take out a bungalow or a house.
"It is beautiful and very much a part of our lives."
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