As axeman stand by, a second protester scales Scarbroough’s threatened beech tree

Joiner Mark “Snoz” Snow occupied the 100-year-old beech tree in Irton, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, after it was faced with the chop on Tuesday.

Mr Snow has become an unexpected hero with some villagers who have been battling for five years against plans to remove the tree.

The tree’s roots have been threatening the drains of nearby property and contractors were preparing to cut it down.

But Mr Snow, 36, who is from Scarborough, decided to climb into its branches using a ladder provided by local people and he has been there ever since.

Some people in the village have been keeping a vigil beneath his makeshift treehouse.

Other have been keeping him supplied with food and other essentials.

Mr Snow said: “I could have stayed longer but I had a pressing engagement on the ground and I needed to attend to it.

“There was a chap willing to go up and take his turn. This is not about me and how long one man can stay in a tree, it is about saving a tree.”

The latest protester to climb the tree said he was inspired by Mr Snow’s stand and by the support of the local community.

Charles Ledger, 41, a self-employed graphic designer from Scarborough, said: “I was reading about it in the local paper but I never thought I would find myself up here.

“I’m not from any corporate organisation or charity I just thought it is time to make a stand and highlight some of the issues surrounding tree preservation orders and mature trees.

“This tree clearly means a lot to the villagers and I have been really impressed with the support and help I have received.”

North Yorkshire County Council is understood to have already run up a £250,000 legal bill over the dispute, although a spokesman stressed much of this would be covered by insurance.

The council had sought an injunction to remove Mr Snow and had begun the legal process to remove him.