Nature conservationists in Letterkenny are campaigning to save a decades-old native Irish Oak tree that is due to be cut down for a cycle path.
Active Travel works in the Ballyraine/Creamery area of the town will include the removal of vegetation to make way for greener, sustainable transport paths.
However, An Taisce Donegal Local Association says the felling of trees would be detrimental to the local environment. The group is seeking to have the cycle path diverted around the tree instead.
Ribbons and posters have been stapled to the Sessile Oak tree on the Ramelton Road near Orchard Grove. The posters say ‘SAVE ME PLEASE’ and feature a poem, saying “cycle round me and let the wildlife enjoy me as well, cyclists will come to no harm I assure you.”
Ballyraine Oak Tree
Noel Foley, Chairman of An Taisce Donegal Local Association, said that representatives met with a member of the roads design team on the 4th of September “but seemingly failed to change the decision to route the cycle way along the path that has been chosen and to fell the tree.”
“With regret, all we can do now is make people aware of the majestic beauty of this tree before it is gone.”
He said the sessile oak holds the status of Ireland’s National Tree since 1990.
“This particular tree is a fine example of the species. It is in its prime, producing acorns,” Mr Foley explained.
“It is an iconic tree that commands the landscape when approached from any direction in all seasons.
“It has been a witness to many changes in its sixty or seventy years or so and survived them all. If left to grow it would last more than another century. Its absence will be an impoverishment.”
Ballyraine Oak Tree
Foley adds: “Donegal County Council also plans to fell the line of maple trees in the Ballyraine Linear Park opposite Georgie Sweeney’s shop.
“In the normal course of events we would be lamenting that loss, but the plan to fell the oak ‘puts that in the shade’.”
However, a spokesperson for the council told Donegal Daily planning approval was obtained for the works in 2020 and, during the public consultation process, they received no submission in relation to the Oak, or any other trees nearby.
“As part of the subsequent detailed design process, DCC have considered all alternative options with regard to retention of this and other trees within the works,” the spokesperson explained.
“However, in order to provide the required safe infrastructure, it is not feasible to retain the tree in question.”
The council will also liaise with the local community in the area to agree the most suitable use of the various trunk sections of the felled tree as well as any other possible initiatives to ‘preserve or continue its memory’.
“For example 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.”
Read the full response from the council below:
“The N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel project is a vital project delivering improved safety, function and active travel facilities on the N56 through Letterkenny. The planned works between the Polestar and Creamery roundabouts include the provision of segregated pedestrian and cycling facilities as well as providing new signalised junctions at both the Ballyraine and Creamery roundabouts.
Statutory consent through the Part VIII planning process was received for this project in 2020. Full public consultation was carried out as part of this process. No submission was received in respect to the oak tree in question or other trees within the works area.
As part of the subsequent detailed design process, DCC have considered all alternative options with regard to retention of this and other trees within the works. However, in order to provide the required safe infrastructure it is not feasible to retain the tree in question.
During the design process since planning consent in 2020, Donegal County Council has met with many stakeholders to discuss the impacts of the project. Most recently we have been contacted by An Taisce who raised some concerns over the removal of the oak tree. DCC explained the nature of the works and the planning and design process undertaken. Through these discussions, it was accepted that the tree could not be retained. 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. For example 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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