Dawlish News

One of the last remaining mature Exeter Elm trees is facing the chop after flourishing for more than 200 glorious years in the city. The rare species of elm is native to the city and was once plentiful across the region. But one of the last few to survive is now facing the axe after growing in a garden in Topsham's Grove Hill since the beginning of the 19th century. The rare tree is believed to be one of only four Exeter Elms left. A Tree Preservation Order has been in place for the last 35 years. But after surviving the destruction caused by Dutch elm disease, which killed most of the once-flourishing elms in the 1970s, it has finally succumbed to disease. The tree is slowly dying and has become unsafe, leaving owner Gordon Halliday with no choice but to apply for it to be chopped down.