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Visitors 'devastated' after 200-year-old tree is uprooted at Belton House in Grantham




Staff and visitors at Belton House in Grantham have been left ‘devastated’ after a 200-year-old tree was uprooted and fell during bad weather at the weekend.

The ancient Cedar of Lebanon is believed to have stood in the Italian Garden at the country house since around 1820.

It was uprooted and fell during heavy winds and rain on Saturday afternoon. Thankfully no one was hurt when it fell but its loss has left both staff and visitors devastated.

The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319970)
The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319970)

Head gardener Jon Lawrence said: “The loss of a venerable old tree is always a sad occasion and although the Cedar to the west of the Dutch garden was not the tallest or the oldest tree at Belton it will be sorely missed. It was one of our significant plants in the Belton collection, this listing because it formed a major and important part of the landscape and will when removed leave a big hole in the garden . The next major task is to remove the several tons of timber from the formal gardens without causing any further damage to plants, lawns or structures, then we can replant with another Cedar and in 200 years the view will return to normal.”

The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319959)
The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319959)

After Belton House broke the news, devastated members of the public turned to social media to share their memories of the tree and described it as ‘icon of Belton’ and a ‘majestic giant’.

One woman said: “Belton will never be the same again without it.”

Another added: “So sad. I have been coming to Belton for over sixty years and always loved this tree.”

Another visitor described the tree as a ‘soldier’, adding: “It sheltered me when I was walking and pausing round the gardens.”

The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319978)
The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319978)

Many remember the tree from their childhoods.

One visitor added: “This is devastating. I remember that tree as a child. It is the very essence of Belton House for me.”

Some members of the public are now calling on its remains to be saved for the next generation.

One visitor posted: Is there any way to grow a sapling to plant? Maybe that one can grow for 200 years and would be the perfect way for its legacy to live on.”

A spokesperson from Belton House confirmed they will now be looking at how to find the best use of the timber and create a lasting legacy from such a sad loss.

They said:”We are devastated by the loss of this magnificent Cedar of Lebanon but we’re very thankful that no one was hurt.We know how many visitors loved and have fond memories of this cedar so our challenge now is to find the best use of the timber and create a lasting legacy from such a sad loss.”

The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319986)
The 'magificient' Cedar of Lebanon came down at Belton House on Saturday afternoon. (20319986)


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