Campaigners Rally To Save 200-Year-Old Oaks In Billingshurst

Two 200-year-old oak trees in Billingshurst are at risk of being cut down, sparking a community campaign to save them.

The oaks, located on Willow Drive, have been linked to damage at a nearby property, and the homeowner’s insurer is reportedly seeking a solution that could involve felling the trees.

But local campaigner Gabi Barrett says the oaks have been unfairly implicated, and alternative measures could protect both the trees and the home.

“It would be an absolute injustice if these trees were cut down,” Barrett said.

“Trees don’t have a voice, so it’s up to us to speak out for them.

"We are their guardians, here to make sure they continue to thrive for hundreds of years.”

Billingshurst Parish Council, which owns the trees, is due to vote today (Wednesday) on whether to remove them.

A petition to save the oaks has already been signed by over 3,200 people, highlighting widespread community concern.

Barrett says local residents have been actively involved, raising funds for legal support and attending council meetings to make their voices heard.

She suggests alternatives such as installing a root barrier at the affected property or altering the building’s foundations, which could avoid harming the trees.

“The community has come together to protect these irreplaceable oaks,” Barrett added.

“Sadly, the cheapest option seems to be cutting them down, even though other solutions exist.”

The council’s decision will determine the fate of the historic oaks and whether this iconic part of Billingshurst can be preserved for future generations.