TWO centuries-old oak trees on Bell Hill recreation ground (pictured right) are to be felled after becoming infected with a mystery disease that could be affecting others in the green space owned by Petersfield Town Council.
Council clerk Neil Hitch said: “Sadly the two trees started to show significant distress and have deteriorated at quite an alarming rate in the past few months.
“It is clear the trees had a disease but it is not clear what that disease is.”
Expert members of The Petersfield Society are to try to identify the nature of the disease to ascertain if the remaining oak trees in the recreation ground may also be at risk.
Council Grounds Committee chairman Cllr Peter Clist said: “It is a particular shame when one of our mature and much-appreciated specimens succumbs to disease.
“Existing plans do, however, mean that, in time, they will be more than replaced.
“We are very concerned to increase tree cover in the town and are working with the Petersfield Society to achieve this.”
Petersfield mayor Phil Shaw added: “It is always a great shame when magnificent trees such as these need to be felled, but we can’t allow them to become a danger to the public. Fortunately, plans to increase the number of trees in our green spaces are being developed.”