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Camden New Journal - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 22 November 2007

The vandalised tree

Tree destroyed within a day of being planted

Call for culprits to be named and shamed for ‘wanton and malicious’ act

LESS than 24 hours after television conservationist David Bellamy planted a tree in Swiss Cottage, it was hacked to pieces by vandals.
Professor Bellamy planted the whitebeam at Swiss Cottage open space on Tuesday afternoon. It would have reached a height of 15 metres when fully mature but was reduced to a forlorn stump by the vandals’ attack, which was discovered yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
At the planting Professor Bellamy, 74, said: “A Londoner born and bred, I grew up streetwise in a city blessed with the virtues of many trees. Trees are the high-rise guardians of the urban environment and everyone’s support is essential to their future. They are truly magical and we should learn to respect them. The impunity with which they are cut down is criminal.”
Liberal Democrat leisure chief Councillor Flick Rea has condemned the vandalism.
She said: “It is so sad that someone could do such a thing. The words that spring to mind are appalling, wanton and malicious. It wasn’t as if the tree was blocking anything or offending anybody – it was just a little tree. I hope they get the people and they are made to pay. It is inexcusable.”
She added: “Trees are an important part of our lives but their benefits can be difficult to quantify. They add colour, interest and beauty to our busy streets and improve the urban landscape.”
Swiss Cottage Conservative councillor Andrew Mennear called for the culprits to be named and shamed. “We need to let local people know that vandalism, whether it be graffiti, stealing benches or cutting down trees, will not be tolerated because it has such an adverse effect on their lives,” he said.
The planting was part of National Tree Week, a celebration of the social and environmental benefits that trees bring to cities. The vandalised tree is to be replaced.

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