The tree which has stood for 150 years is now being assessed for security
A 150-year-old tree has been “cut up in half” by what was believed to have been a twister in east Devon.
Simon West, the tree’s proprietor, stated he was inside his home in Tipton St John, close to Sidmouth, when he heard rain adopted by an “monumental cracking sound” on Saturday night.
Part of the tree fell on a driveway and knocked down a telegraph pole, which was changed on Sunday.
A yellow wind warning was put in place by the Met Office for Devon and the broader south west area till 23:59 (GMT) on Sunday.
The tree was hit whereas it was darkish
Several different bushes reportedly fell within the space at Tipton St John close to Sidmouth following the climate occasion.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) posted on X on Sunday: “Whilst the utmost depth continues to be being assessed TORRO can affirm based mostly on a website investigation that Venn Ottery & Tipton St John had been hit by a twister yesterday afternoon.”
Mr West informed the BBC: “It was extraordinarily sturdy wind… Sufficient to tear a 150-year-old oak tree in half.”
He added: “We heard the big creaking and cracking sound of the tree falling aside, adopted by taking out all of our electrical energy.”
Part of the tree fell on a driveway and needed to be chopped up and cleared
Mr West, who arrange a reforestation charity along with his spouse in Kenya seven years in the past, stated the tree helps “over 200 species of animals immediately and over 2,000 species not directly”.
He added: “I perceive fairly a couple of have come down, smaller ones, greater ones, and it is fairly devastating after we lose bushes like that.”
The pair vowed to interchange the tree and stated the charity would additionally proceed to plant extra in Kenya.
