Leavers Wood trees update

Reporter : Judith Grinter

Saddleworth News and Life have investigated the reported incident of the demolished trees in Leavers Wood in Delph.

A resident of the area told Saddleworth News and Life : ” It now looks like vandals have been let loose in the woods with a chainsaw.
Whilst some of the trees may have needed to be cut back the Chestnut trees near the path were healthy. Not only that the work should have been done when the Bluebells were dormant. It is a very special area for English bluebells and many people have enjoyed the wood. We have also contacted our MP about this as we feel upset. We cannot believe the department of environment allowed this, it is a site of biological importance.”

In a document from the Oldham Council website, Leavers Wood is ‘woodland that lies to the north of Dobcross and rises steeply from its boundary with the River Tame.
The site is designated as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI) due to the woodland being semi-natural with oak and birch being the most abundant trees.
During the spring this area is awash with colour as the bluebells flower.’

On contacting Oldham Council Saddleworth News and Life were advised ” the land the trees is on is privately owned and not owned by the council. The landowner submitted an application to remove the trees and this was approved in early 2018.

Many of the trees were in poor condition, some displaying signs of basal decay and fungal fruiting bodies from fungal species such as Ganoderma.”

Saddleworth News and Life is investigating further.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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