Swift Action Halts Felling of Landmark Tree in Lyncroft Gardens
Emergency preservation order granted in a day
The tree is expected to recover despite canopy reduction having been undertaken. Picture: David Hall
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October 8, 2025
A mature horse chestnut tree in Lyncroft Gardens, W13, has been granted protected status following swift action by residents and Ealing Council. The tree, believed to be over a century old, was due to be felled on the morning of Tuesday 7 October, reportedly because its roots were affecting an outbuilding at a neighbouring care home.
Visible from many surrounding homes and shading the courts of St John’s Lawn Tennis Club, the tree has long been considered a local landmark. Upon learning of its imminent removal, a group of neighbours rallied overnight to request an emergency Tree Preservation Order (TPO) from the council.
Despite the short notice, a Tree Officer attended the site by 1pm, issuing a stop notice that halted the felling. Although some canopy reduction had already taken place, council officers believe the tree should recover well over time. A formal TPO is now in place, safeguarding the tree from further unauthorised works.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “We’re pleased to have been able to act swiftly to protect this large, historic horse chestnut tree in Lyncroft Gardens. Trees like this are vital to the character of our neighbourhoods and play an important role in supporting biodiversity and improving air quality.”
The council confirmed that the tree’s owner has been advised to follow the appropriate process for sympathetic pruning, ensuring its long-term health and safety.
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal mechanism used by local authorities to protect specific trees or woodlands from deliberate damage or destruction. TPOs can be applied to individual trees, groups of trees, or entire woodlands, and prohibit felling, lopping, uprooting, or other work without formal consent.
TPOs are typically issued when a tree is considered to have significant public amenity value, such as visual prominence, historical importance, or ecological benefit. Emergency TPOs may be granted when a tree is under immediate threat, as in the case at Lyncroft Gardens.
Applications for a TPO can be made by members of the public, but the final decision rests with the local planning authority, which assesses factors including species, age, condition, and contribution to the local landscape.
Residents described the outcome as a “wonderful example” of community and council cooperation. The tree is known to support local wildlife, including woodpeckers, and contributes to the green character of the area.
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