It’s impossible to say what killed the tree, but the footprints of millions [compacting the soil, and preventing rainfall reaching the roots] contributed to its downfall, along with intervention to shore up its massive limbs using cables and poles. Climate change that has brought heat waves and drought was also blamed.
this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2026
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If only there was some way to put up a border around the tree to keep people from compacting the soil around the roots. Or if only there was some way to reduce campaction of the soil in the area.
Maybe they tried these things and the article just didn't mention it but it sounds like nothing was tried and they just let the tree die.
They tried these things. The RSPB aren’t imbeciles.
I don't think robin is around anymore either.
It's just one blow after another.
Shut up! this is a hold up not a botany lesson, no false moves please, I want you to hand over all the lupines you've got!
What, the flower lupine?
Are there any cuttings of the tree that might be used to re-grow it in the same place?
Hollie Drake of the RSPB
One for the nominative determinism community.