Badbury Avenue Beech trees get the 'chop'

Badbury Beech Avenue has stood to attention at the side of B3082 Wimborne to Blandford road since 1835 when William John Bankes gifted the 731 trees to his mother Frances.

Of course, at the time, the road would have only had horse and carriage pass them by and I am sure that there would not have been too much traffic on the drive up to the house on the Kingston Lacy Estate.

Sadly, now that the trees are nearing the end of their safe and useful life, a health and safety review has led to twenty one trees to be cut down - more are sure to follow.

Looking at the photographs in the Daily Mail this morning I would say that the trees still look as though they have some good life in them - was enough thought given to preservation?

The National Trust, who manage the Kingston Lacy house and estate and who are responsible for the tree have been running a photographic competition for an exhibition in April 2009 and are asking people what their fondest memories of the trees are.

Do you know the trees - I would be interested in your thoughts on seeing such a graceful part of the English heritage disappear.

I think that the photo above by Richard Loader conjures up the atmosphere - I am sure that the trees have seen some noble faces pass but will always remain a silent witness.