A PROBLEMATIC uprooted tree seen leaning on another tree along the A35 has been removed amid fears it could fall onto the route and ‘cause a nasty crash’.
A number of trees line the A-road which is used by thousands of motorists travelling across Dorset.
Lyn Davey, a retired resident in Dorchester, spotted in early November that a broken off tree was learning against a lower tree along the A35 Dorchester bypass near to the A352 junction for Max Gate roundabout.
She had written with her concerns to National Highways, the body responsible for the maintenance of major A-roads such as the A35, who have visited the scene to inspect the fallen tree. The tree was taken down yesterday.
Photos taken by Mrs Davey show how the stricken tree was leaning on another in the woodland – and voiced her fears that it could have fallen on to the route if there was a strong wind or the supporting tree fell.
She said: “I was out walking the dog by the bypass and after an incident in September 2020 I look for any trees leaning towards the road.
“I saw this one had signs of pine beetles and it was leaning against another tree. I wanted to raise awareness and get this sorted.
Mrs Davey had previously raised her concerns about another uprooted tree in the same area beside the A35 Dorchester Bypass in September 2020, which was later removed by National Highways workers.
She theorised that the trees are being uprooted by pine beetles, which tunnel into the bark and cause the unstable tree to fall.
Mrs Davey said: “It is a big and was leaning at an angle completely on another tree.
“The pine beetle from what I could see had destroyed the roots of the tree."
A spokesman for National Highways that while ‘nothing has presented itself as a safety risk’ during their on-road inspections, a technician visited the site on Tuesday morning (November 23).
He said: “Trees and other vegetation on land bordering the National Highways road network are routinely inspected and acted upon to remove any potential safety risks.”
Upon hearing the perilous tree was removed, Mrs Davey said: “It is a relief it is being investigated and dealt with."
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