At present, as far as I know, following court proceedings the tree has been given a reprieve pending preparation of another report in early February. Given assessments of its vitality, fungal colonisation, the recent stability evaluation and exploration of appropriate means of support to prevent future prospects of the tree’s failure, I would expect that the group (which includes a range of tree and other specialists) are optimistically exploring more fully the prospects for the tree’s retention.

For my part, I was in Holland to present the annual lecture of the Dutch Tree Foundation (Bomenstichting) and at that time was also interviewed at the AF tree by Dutch television and by CNN internet news. I know that the first programme went on air, having received positive and enthusiastic emails about it.

Neville Fay