STATEMENT BY RYE TOWN COUNCIL
Rye Town Council recognises that the recent felling of a landmark cedar tree in Rye Cemetery has caused some parishioners considerable distress.
The Cemetery is owned and managed by Rother District Council. The tree was located outside the Rye Parish boundary, in Rye Foreign.
Having considered the evidence of decay – and the expert’s prognosis – contained within the tree survey report commissioned by Rother District Council, neither Rye Foreign Parish Council, nor Rye Town Council, had cause to question the report’s conclusion that the cedar was nearing the end of its life and presented a risk to both people and property.
However, in hindsight the Town Council considers that it would have been appropriate for the situation to have been explained to the public, prior to Rother District Council implementing its decision to fell the cedar, grind out the stump and plant a replacement tree that is suitable for the location.
7 September 2023