LOCALS have been left fuming after their neighbour felled a 110-year-old oak tree on their street. Disgruntled residents in Fareham, Hampshire, vented their frustrations after the historic 45ft tree was chopped down. Homeowner Steve Thomas said there was "no alternative" to the tree being removed other than his house being crushed.
![[Large oak tree before felling.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/0faad61f-277d-4f1c-902f-8a996c1923a7.jpg?strip=all&w=716)
Fareham Borough Council, in Hampshire, say they were not told about the felling with enough notice amid claims it was unnecessary. And residents also slammed RSA insurance for cutting down the "hugely important" plant as the "first resort" without considering other options.
![[A large oak tree being felled by a crane in Fareham, Hants.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/b657f7b0-f875-4f68-a99a-06a89b8299c9.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Local resident Laura Ancell said the company should have "future-proofed" the affected property rather than chopping down the 45ft oak. Laura, 60, said she was "outraged" by the loss of the tree which she discovered when she came back from the shop. She said: "I am just outraged that this felling has taken place when mediation was in the pipeline. These are almighty oak trees.
![[Aerial view of a house and the removal of a large oak tree.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2e0c3f31-4f17-424a-a6fc-ce9f7abb92ed_8c7dd2.jpg?strip=all&w=679)
"We have really fought for that tree. It is heartbreaking. It is happening all over the South of England and it has to stop. "We have not been able to save this tree but there are other trees that can be saved. "It is an utter disgrace. I am just lost for words that this has happened. I am just in shock.
![[Tim Bishop, homeowner involved in dispute over tree felling.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/7223e4c7-4265-43eb-ba24-6e9731dced42.jpg?strip=all&w=637)
"I just nipped to the shops first thing this morning. When I came back I heard some noise and thought what the hell is that and saw all the branches being cut off. "Taking that tree out was not the solution to the problem. There used to be a whole row of Oaks.
![[A large oak tree being felled in a parking lot.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/19c31b72-b00f-48bb-8649-26c68e1fc58c.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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