The branches of ‘Stumpy’, a Common Lime on Meersbrook Park Rd, have filled out nicely since this squirrel protected it, on a rather grey day, from the felling crews early on in the protests.

Originally, just under half of the 42 trees on Meersbrook Park Rd were planned to be felled. Squirrels – protestors climbing into trees – protected many of the trees from felling. Stumpy was protected by a squirrel at least 7 times.

In 2019, after some hard work by the tree crews (digging out mounds of tarmac and concrete from around and under Stumpy’s roots) Stumpy was found not to be causing any damage to the road. A narrow kerb was installed and Stumpy survives. Eventually it was found that only 3 of the remaining trees targeted for felling were impossible to save using the pre-approved solutions (build-outs etc).

Stumpy is looking splendid in the Winter sunshine, so if you’re in the area please take some time to thank all those squirrels.