Woodland Trust Scotland ‘dismayed’ by Perth Academy Scots pine decision

The decision to fell a much-loved Scots pine at Perth Academy has been slated by the Woodland Trust Scotland.

It was announced this week that the tree is to be sacrificed to make way for an all-weather sports pitch.

Pupils had fought to save the tree, which had become a memorial to youngsters Callum and Ethan Owen, who died in a road accident in 2009.

A bench at the foot of the tree will now be moved.

Andrew Fairbairn, from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “This decision calls Perthshire’s reputation as the Big Tree Country into question.

“I am dismayed that the views of the parent council, pupils and staff have been ignored, the council has ridden roughshod over them.

“Ancient trees are irreplaceable. This tree and the bench around it stand as a memorial to two children who were killed in a tragic accident, which makes its destruction even harder to accept.

“There was a clear and seemingly sensible alternative to felling the tree that allowed the school to benefit from an all-weather pitch without losing the tree, so it’s hard to understand exactly why it has been rejected. We will be asking the council’s education department to explain themselves.”