Charles Esther
The residents of Canon Street in Winchester are locked in a bitter dispute with Winchester City Council over a towering 45-foot oak tree that dominates one of the area’s tiny gardens.
The Grade II listed terrace on this prestigious road is overshadowed by what locals now dub the “Jack-and-the-Beanstalk” oak, a specimen planted roughly fifty years ago by a former homeowner who “thought it was a good idea at the time.”
Neighbouring homeowners argue the oak has outgrown its cramped location, adding six feet of height in the past year alone and threatening nearby walls, roofs, and medieval foundations.
When current owner Orla Williams and her partner applied to fell the tree, council officers instead issued a provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO), citing the oak’s visual amenity and biodiversity value to residents on the adjacent private road.
Safety Concerns and Property Risks
Local residents insist the fast-growing oak poses a clear danger to life and property.
Retired neighbour Mark Pocock calls the TPO “grotesquely irresponsible,” warning that mature oaks become brittle and could collapse onto centuries-old homes valued at over £600,000.
Former British Airways pilot Nick Goff worries the spreading root system will undermine a Tudor-era retaining wall in his garden if the oak is allowed to double in size over the next decade.
An independent arboricultural report commissioned by homeowners labels the tree a “teenager” in good health yet “far too large for the confined space,” predicting foreseeable damage to masonry and footings.
Council’s Preservation Rationale
Winchester City Council argues the oak contributes to local biodiversity and provides rare greenery within the tightly packed conservation area.
In their report, officers note the tree is “clearly visible” from St Swithun’s Street and “appreciated” by neighbours who do not bear responsibility for potential damage.
The council also stresses that removing the last significant tree between Canon Street and St Swithun’s Street would “detrimentally impact the character” of the historic quarter.
Community Voices Demand Action
Nine formal objections have been lodged ahead of next week’s council vote that will decide whether to confirm the preservation order.
Residents claim seasonal leaf litter, acorn fall, and droppings from pigeons and squirrels already create maintenance headaches and health concerns.
Retired resident Graham Rule sums up local sentiment: “We all love trees, but that tree is simply in the wrong place.”
What Happens Next?
If councillors uphold the TPO, any future pruning or felling will require formal permission, leaving homeowners liable for ongoing maintenance costs while limited in the actions they can take.
Should the order be rejected, the oak could be removed, restoring peace of mind to Canon Street but erasing the lone canopy that softens the conservation-area skyline.
As the meeting approaches, Winchester faces a familiar urban dilemma: balancing heritage trees and green objectives against the practical realities of safety, property preservation, and residents’ quality of life.
