A TREE in a historic part of Caversham is set to be felled after an investigation found it was suffering from “extensive internal decay.”
Reading Borough Council has announced it is set to cut down a tree in Caversham Court Gardens which could pose a significant safety risk.
It comes after council teams examined the tree, a mature beech tree on the grounds, and sought further advice from experts.
They concluded that the tree, which is in a busy public part of the gardens, was heavily decayed, causing heavy structural defects.
The combination of the damage and its public placement mean that the tree will need to be felled next week.
Councillors have said, however, that a monolith–what is left when a tree is reduced to its main trunk or stem–will be left to preserve important habitat opportunities for wildlife.
They have also said that the monolith could have the potential to become a carved sculpture, a bespoke bench, or part of a future planting feature.
A self-seeded beech sapling – believed to be a direct descendant of the existing tree – is currently growing in a nearby shrub bed, which councillors say presents an opportunity to retain the tree’s genetic lineage.
Replacement planting opportunities will also be considered as part of the 2026/27 Tree Planting Programme.
Cllr Finn McGoldrick, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said: “It’s incredibly sad to hear that this old giant is no longer stable enough to safely remain in the beautiful Caversham Court Gardens, but ultimately, the safety of our residents is paramount and is not something we can take a risk with.
“It is a sad fact that trees do eventually fail at some point and, following detailed advice from tree experts, we considered all options to save it but unfortunately none of these were possible given its very public location.
“The option of a monolith however, allows us to preserve the legacy of the tree in some form, as well as allowing it to live on as a home to other creatures and an education tool to help us save similar trees in future.”
Cllr Jacopo Lanzoni, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said: “Caversham Court Gardens is one of Reading’s most cherished public spaces and its history and beauty attract many visitors throughout the year.
“The many mature trees in the gardens are a highly valued feature and it is sad that this particular beech tree is suffering such serious decay. Unfortunately, there appear to be no viable options that would allow the tree to be retained safely.
“The remaining monolith will continue to be a feature of these gardens which the Council is committed to investing in with a comprehensive schedule of conservation and repair works planned.”
