News

May Hill Trees for the Chop!

The landmark trees on top of May Hill will almost certainly be chopped down because they have succumbed to a deadly disease known as Red Band Needle Blight, which affects mainly Corsican Pines. The iconic trees are owned by Longhope Parish Council, and the majority of the older trees were planted to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Some of the newer trees were planted in five different plantings including Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, so it is hoped that not all the trees will end up with the disease and have to be felled. The council say that they are hoping to work out a felling and replanting scheme. The National Trust owns the majority of May Hill, but not the area that the trees stand on, which is classed as village green status and owned by the village of Longhope. May Hill is renowned in the area and beyond for its’ familiar symmetrically round shape and tuft of trees, which means home to many people here. It will be sad to see this landmark disappear for ever.