Action plan to save historic tree

Wakefield Council is concerned that the tree in St Helen's Churchyard at Hemsworth, near Wakefield, estimated to be between 700 and 1,000 years old, is unstable and in danger of toppling onto the main road.

The tree, however, is of great historic value and there is much local interest in it.

It has its own stone beside it stating: "This venerable yew has braved many a winter and weathered a storm" and then goes on to commemorate a great gale of January 1884.

Tree management officers have decided the best way to preserve it for future generations, while removing the danger of an accident, is to cut back its top weight by 50 per cent.

They will take the tree down to a height such that if it should fall over it will not fall on the highway and possibly injure passers-by.