Tree felling on Normanton Lane

Removing a dead fir from the paddock of Beckingthorpe Farm

By Neil Fortey

These pictures catch the last moments of a fir tree that had stood in the paddock of Beckingthorpe Farm on Normanton Lane, Bottesford. The tree surgeons reported that it was dying and needed to come down rather than risk it falling on passing traffic or pedestrians, not to mention the adjacent bungalow. Of course, it's a sad loss to the landscape of the village and its wildlife, and I wish they could grow replacements as fast as they take them down.

The work was done by Treewise Ltd. These pictures show Ben Creasey, the 'human fly', as he expertly swung around on ropes and harness, deftly wielding the petrol chain saw. The trunk was cut length by length, each causing a seismic shock as it struck the ground.