Save Wivenhoe's Old King George Oak Tree
@stopthechop.bsky.social
Our beloved 170 year old oak tree and others are at threat of felling in a subsidence claim. Aviva have pushed our council into this, while experts state underpinning would be better.
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-wivenhoe-old-king-george-tree/
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-wivenhoe-old-king-george-tree/
Couldn't agree more!
January 3, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Couldn't agree more!
Old King George and the horsechestnut at sunset ❤️🧡💙
January 3, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Old King George and the horsechestnut at sunset ❤️🧡💙
Our trees in this morning's amazing winter sun. Waiting to hear any reply from the council about the injunction and confirming they and any third parties will not be doing any works from next week in the vicinity that could harm the trees and breach the injunction. We hope fencing will be removed.
January 2, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Our trees in this morning's amazing winter sun. Waiting to hear any reply from the council about the injunction and confirming they and any third parties will not be doing any works from next week in the vicinity that could harm the trees and breach the injunction. We hope fencing will be removed.
The context of our trees is uniquely complex:
1. The homes that have movement issues sit with a slope to their rear down to a Victorian railway line cutting. Large freight trains rumble down this section of track & as several large trains come past each hour, movements can be felt in the vicinity.
1. The homes that have movement issues sit with a slope to their rear down to a Victorian railway line cutting. Large freight trains rumble down this section of track & as several large trains come past each hour, movements can be felt in the vicinity.
January 2, 2026 at 4:44 AM
The context of our trees is uniquely complex:
1. The homes that have movement issues sit with a slope to their rear down to a Victorian railway line cutting. Large freight trains rumble down this section of track & as several large trains come past each hour, movements can be felt in the vicinity.
1. The homes that have movement issues sit with a slope to their rear down to a Victorian railway line cutting. Large freight trains rumble down this section of track & as several large trains come past each hour, movements can be felt in the vicinity.
Here's what we are trying to save: a beautiful oak and horsechestnut providing shade in summer to children on the swings in a playground, and supporting nature year-round. Photos from recently and decades ago.
January 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Here's what we are trying to save: a beautiful oak and horsechestnut providing shade in summer to children on the swings in a playground, and supporting nature year-round. Photos from recently and decades ago.
15. Our application was submitted on the 23rd Dec before the Christmas courts closure, and on the 29th Dec 2025 when they reopened, we were sent an Injunction Order preventing any felling or harm to the trees! This prevents any irreversible action being taken while matters are considered.
January 1, 2026 at 8:39 PM
15. Our application was submitted on the 23rd Dec before the Christmas courts closure, and on the 29th Dec 2025 when they reopened, we were sent an Injunction Order preventing any felling or harm to the trees! This prevents any irreversible action being taken while matters are considered.
Thanks for all those who have already contributed towards our fundraising efforts, we are so grateful! We are already at £1,290, so 12% of the way there. Please keep helping us if you can, to reach our £10,000 minimum target. We seek to defend fair processes and save an old oak tree.
January 1, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Thanks for all those who have already contributed towards our fundraising efforts, we are so grateful! We are already at £1,290, so 12% of the way there. Please keep helping us if you can, to reach our £10,000 minimum target. We seek to defend fair processes and save an old oak tree.
Merry Christmas and festive wishes to all. Thanks for all your support this year, we couldn't have made it to this point without you all. Pictured is old King George (left) with the horsechestnut to its right.
December 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Merry Christmas and festive wishes to all. Thanks for all your support this year, we couldn't have made it to this point without you all. Pictured is old King George (left) with the horsechestnut to its right.
Most important news is that Old King George and the horse chestnut are still standing and providing shade to the nearby children's playground during this sunny spell
April 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Most important news is that Old King George and the horse chestnut are still standing and providing shade to the nearby children's playground during this sunny spell
Wow we've raised £11,700 so far, with more being counted at the moment from a busy weekend of in-person fundraising activities. And our Crowdfunder page will still be open on an ongoing basis if you'd like to contribute, you still can it turns out! Thanks for all the support so far.
March 2, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Wow we've raised £11,700 so far, with more being counted at the moment from a busy weekend of in-person fundraising activities. And our Crowdfunder page will still be open on an ongoing basis if you'd like to contribute, you still can it turns out! Thanks for all the support so far.
We have very happy news to share. After much dialogue, we have formed an agreement with Wivenhoe Town Council. This involves a stay of execution for our trees until the 31 March to allow an independent evaluation to take place. We are grateful for all the support to this point.
February 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
We have very happy news to share. After much dialogue, we have formed an agreement with Wivenhoe Town Council. This involves a stay of execution for our trees until the 31 March to allow an independent evaluation to take place. We are grateful for all the support to this point.
Not a huge amount new to report here, the trees are still standing, the vigil goes on. We await confirmation from the council on actions discussed more than two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the clock hasn't stopped for nature, with our beloved oak tree quietly getting ready for spring.
February 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Not a huge amount new to report here, the trees are still standing, the vigil goes on. We await confirmation from the council on actions discussed more than two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the clock hasn't stopped for nature, with our beloved oak tree quietly getting ready for spring.
Our tree is now a historical landmark on Google maps! You can now review it, write comments and add your own photos.
February 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Our tree is now a historical landmark on Google maps! You can now review it, write comments and add your own photos.
Can you help us with our crowdfunding efforts please? We are nearly at £7k, please help us to get closer to our funding goal to be able to commission an expert, interdisciplinary independent evaluation 🙏https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/savewivenhoeoldoaktree
February 1, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Can you help us with our crowdfunding efforts please? We are nearly at £7k, please help us to get closer to our funding goal to be able to commission an expert, interdisciplinary independent evaluation 🙏https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/savewivenhoeoldoaktree
It's February 1st, the day our trees were due to be gone by. Our trees are still standing. We will be gathering together this afternoon to mark the date with positivity 💛 thanks to Anna Gibb, local artist for this wonderful drawing.
February 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
It's February 1st, the day our trees were due to be gone by. Our trees are still standing. We will be gathering together this afternoon to mark the date with positivity 💛 thanks to Anna Gibb, local artist for this wonderful drawing.
On Tuesday 28th January 2025 a group of Woodcraft Folk children visited the Oak tree in Wivenhoe carpark by King George playing field. They came with their banners, and songs to serenade and decorate the tree. (1/2)
January 31, 2025 at 11:14 AM
On Tuesday 28th January 2025 a group of Woodcraft Folk children visited the Oak tree in Wivenhoe carpark by King George playing field. They came with their banners, and songs to serenade and decorate the tree. (1/2)
Thank you to @paulpowlesland.bsky.social for joining us for this meeting today. And more generally for supporting us on an ongoing basis as our barrister. Pictured is Paul with members of the campaign team and the tree protectors (3/3)
January 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Thank you to @paulpowlesland.bsky.social for joining us for this meeting today. And more generally for supporting us on an ongoing basis as our barrister. Pictured is Paul with members of the campaign team and the tree protectors (3/3)
Another beautiful tree, currently without TPO
January 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Another beautiful tree, currently without TPO
A misty day here in Wivenhoe. The first photo is of our beloved tree(s) while the second shows other trees surviving from the old Wivenhoe Hall estate. None of these trees have TPOs. Let's hope this is rectified in the aftermath of our campaign, as the council and community alike realise their worth
January 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A misty day here in Wivenhoe. The first photo is of our beloved tree(s) while the second shows other trees surviving from the old Wivenhoe Hall estate. None of these trees have TPOs. Let's hope this is rectified in the aftermath of our campaign, as the council and community alike realise their worth
"Battle to save historic oak as insurers put profit before trees" from Martin Newell in the Eastern Daily Press
January 19, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"Battle to save historic oak as insurers put profit before trees" from Martin Newell in the Eastern Daily Press
Turns out Wivenhoe is a place that takes play space seriously. In the 1930s, kids were fighting for their right to a joyful play space. Now in 2025, we seek to protect the playspace they already enjoy from destruction by corporate interests. Save our trees, save our children's playspace.
January 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Turns out Wivenhoe is a place that takes play space seriously. In the 1930s, kids were fighting for their right to a joyful play space. Now in 2025, we seek to protect the playspace they already enjoy from destruction by corporate interests. Save our trees, save our children's playspace.
A photo of the tree doing what it does best from 1993 (tree seen in right)
January 17, 2025 at 10:55 PM
A photo of the tree doing what it does best from 1993 (tree seen in right)
Photo from a visitor to Wivenhoe passing through. This has been an intergenerational effort and has brought people in the community together for a shared love of this and the other soon to be felled trees. A day to remember.
January 13, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Photo from a visitor to Wivenhoe passing through. This has been an intergenerational effort and has brought people in the community together for a shared love of this and the other soon to be felled trees. A day to remember.
Wow what an amazing day. Today our community showed up to act as tree protectors, braving very cold weather. There is a group protecting the tree now, tucking into a welcome donation of chips ordered by a wonderful Wivenhoe resident. They have been grateful for sustenance, chairs and blankets.
January 13, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Wow what an amazing day. Today our community showed up to act as tree protectors, braving very cold weather. There is a group protecting the tree now, tucking into a welcome donation of chips ordered by a wonderful Wivenhoe resident. They have been grateful for sustenance, chairs and blankets.
Resident protectors of the tree. All is cheery and community are providing sustenance. No dramas on site, all very civilised and peaceful.
January 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Resident protectors of the tree. All is cheery and community are providing sustenance. No dramas on site, all very civilised and peaceful.