• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Radio
  • Hero Awards
  • Things to do
  • Community
  • More
    • Food & drink
    • Business
  • About
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Corrections & complaints
  • Radio
  • WIN
  • Vouchers
  • Listen live »
Cocoa Works York
Cocoa Works York
Cocoa Works York

This tree in York city centre is set to be chopped down

Wed 16 May 2018 @ 9:27pm - Environment
Victoria Prest

The Peace Tree in St Helens Churchyard. Photographs: Richard McDougall

York’s ‘peace tree’ is for the chop.

The Norway Maple in St Helen’s Churchyard, set back from Davygate, was planted in 1995 to mark 50 years of the United Nations Association.

But it has been struck down by a fungal infection and is dying off.

York Civic Trust has been working with the parochial church council for St Helen’s to improve the old churchyard. The trust’s Verna Campbell said an arboriculturalist had checked the tree, and found there was a risk of branches falling off because of the disease.

Not everyone is on board with the decision though. Recently the tree was festooned with banners and flags campaigning to “Save the World Peace Tree”.

New planting

The notice on the tree
Ms Campbell said: “We would love to save the Peace Tree, but unfortunately like peace it is dying.”

The tree originally came from Scotland, and they plan to replace with at least one more new planting.

The fungus is infecting the tree’s vascular system, meaning the trunk is dying and tree is becoming dangerous and has no long term future, Ms Campbell said.

The placards to save the tree were still in the churchyard
York Theatre Royal

A planning notice issued by the city council last year confirms that as officials consider the tree to be “in poor condition” and a risk to the public, they have decided not to impose a Tree Preservation Order leaving the trust free to remove the tree.

The small area off St Sampson’s Square was originally the churchyard of the nearby St Helen’s Square, and was moved to its current spot from a location in front of the church in what is now St Helen’s Square in 1733.

Related YorkMix stories

York has a new play area, complete with zip wire

Now you see it – now you don’t… York’s fountain vanishes from view as demolition crew move in

Saved – the 180-year-old York Theatre Royal arches threatened with demolition

Wed 16 May, 2018

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2023 YorkMix Media Ltd

  • Privacy policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT