Residents fight to save tree

Published 16 Apr 2010 16:59 6 Comments

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FOR THE CHOP: Can this fir tree be saved?

By Ewan McInnes

A CAMPAIGN to save a popular tree is gathering pace - just days after it was set up.

The Save Shanks Tree petition was posted on the social networking site, Facebook, on Sunday, and more than 40 residents have already added their support.

Its aim is to prevent Shanks Bowling Club from chopping down a fir tree which, it says, overshadows the club and is ruining the green.

The tree is thought to be around 30 years old and residents cannot see why the club would want to remove such a natural feature from its grounds.

Taxi driver Chic McCormick, who contacted the News to explain the campaign, said: "The people who I have been talking to about this said the tree has been there for nearly 30 years and were raging when they heard it was to be chopped down.

"I don't want to see any trees knocked down just for the sake of it. It is a lovely big fir tree and it shouldn't be getting cut down on a whim.

"I don't really know if the petition will save the tree, but with a bit of luck it might create a bit of interest in the tree and it will be saved."

Chic added: "We are not sure whether you can just cut trees down whenever you feel like it so we need to find that out.

"But surely you would need permission.

"We would like to know what other people think and whether they want the tree cut down or not.

"People at the bowling club are saying it is affecting the green, why hasn't it been affecting the green for the last 20 or 30 years?

"Why are the other trees not deemed to be affecting the green.?

"I can't see any reason whatsoever for chopping it down."

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said there is no Tree Preservation Order at the site and the land owner can cut or remove trees.

As the News went to press the petition had gathered 41 members in only two days.

To view the campaign visit Save Shanks Tree at www.facebook.com.

Shanks Bowling Club was unavailable for comment.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 14 Apr 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Tommy
Unregistered User
Apr 16, 16:03
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I don't understand at all why the tree needs to be chopped down. If it hasn't annoyed the bowlers for the past 30 years, what's the difference now? There is enough lack of greenery around Barrhead nevermind getting rid of something!

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Johnny
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Apr 19, 08:09
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i think maybe we have to look at this from the perspective of the guys at the bowling club. they know what needs to be done to make sure that they are able to keep playing the game. if that means cutting down this tree, then it has to be done.

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Jen
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Apr 19, 09:54
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The tree hasnt been a bother for the past 30 years so why now? It is a healthy tree. The new bowlers should lump it or leave it. It isnt just the tree, but its habitat for other species too. Where is this petition so I can sign..

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Tam
Unregistered User
Apr 19, 10:15
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What a great idea - getting a petition on the internet. I know not everyone will have access but it's the quickest and easiest way to show our support. There is absolutely no need for this tree to be chopped down - we need to preserve the nature that we have left, not kill it.

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Lisa
Unregistered User
Apr 19, 14:05
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I think it's ridiculous that you don't need any kind of permission to chop down trees. Politicians are always going on about the environment and the harm that we're doing to it. Maybe if they put some guidelines in place to stop this kind of thing from happening then there wouldn't be so much cardon dioxide in the atmosphere. That aside, who is some random person to decide if and when a tree should be chopped down. They have no authority to do that. Well done to the people taking a stand!

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Allan
Unregistered User
Apr 20, 08:08
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It's really great to see local people set up and campaign to save what they believe in, whether anyone else agrees with it or not. Though a little more information about why the tree is being chopped down would be quite helpful.

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