End in sight for tree

The tree which is to be felled on March 15 was found to contain a fatal fungus called Ganoderma Applanatum, a butt decaying fungus which is untreatable in beech trees.

The Copper Beech, which is located near the fountain, was due to be felled last year but secured a last minute reprieve from the council. With internal decay now beginning to show and for health and safety reasons time has run out for this majestic tree.

Russell Eastwood, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor at Lurgan Park said: “The council has taken expert advice and unfortunately there is no cure for this type of fungus in our historic copper beech tree.

"The tree is ravaged internally with the fungus and is beginning to be ravaged externally and due to Health and Safety reasons it will have to be felled.

“It will take at least 3-4 days to fell the tree, with the ground surrounding the tree being secured so onlookers can observe. Once the tree comes down we will then inspect it to determine if any of the timber can be used to make a new entrance sign for Windsor Avenue, to replace the current sign that needs refurbished. The remaining timber will then be chipped for use in Lurgan Park.”

He concluded: “We are currently sourcing a similar Copper Beach tree to replace the existing one which will be sited as close as possible to where the original tree was situated.”