DONEGAL County Council remains firm in its decision to remove a 90-year-old Sessile Oak tree in Ballyraine, despite appeals from local residents and environmental advocates.
The tree, located between the entrances to Ballyraine Park and Orchard Grove, is set to be cut down to make way for a new cycle path as part of the Letterkenny Active Travel Project.
Many residents, along with members of An Taisce Donegal Local Association, have expressed concerns about the council’s decision, with one resident describing the council’s plans as a “smack of hypocrisy”.
Dorothy Toye, another resident, even penned a poem about the tree, taping it to its trunk in protest. Yet, despite their efforts, the council has not shifted its stance.
A spokesperson for Donegal County Council explained that the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel project is aimed at improving pedestrian and cyclist safety along the N56 route.
According to the council, public consultations were carried out in 2020, but no objections regarding the tree were raised at that time.
After examining various alternatives, the council concluded that retaining the tree while ensuring the safety and function of the new infrastructure was not feasible.
The spokesperson stated: “It was agreed that care should be taken during removal of the tree to retain the majority of the trunk sections. This will allow for other alternative uses of the trunk and truck sections after removal. DCC will liaise with the local community in the area to agree the most suitable use of these as well as any other possible initiatives to preserve or continue its memory.”
As part of this effort, they plan to salvage trunk sections for alternative uses: “DCC intend to harvest the acorns from this tree prior to removal and replant a number of them in the local area.
“These acorns will also be offered to local residents who may wish to plant them themselves.”
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