A MUCH-LOVED horse chestnut tree in the heart of Hailsham is set to be felled following expert assessments which revealed it poses a serious risk to public safety.
The tree, located in the Hailsham Parish churchyard, has been a familiar feature of the landscape for decades. Planted around 100 years ago, it has now reached the end of its natural life, according to two separate arboricultural evaluations.
The first inspection, carried out in November by an independent tree expert recommended removal due to extensive decay. In response to the advice, the Church sought a second opinion, which was completed by a Chartered Arboriculturist.
That assessment confirmed the initial findings, prompting the council to reluctantly agree to approve the felling.
The decay is severe, with damage around 70–80% of the tree’s base, leaving just a narrow strip of live wood supporting the structure. The trunk is exhibiting visible fracturing, and large patches of bark have already fallen away this spring, revealing heavily decayed wood underneath. Experts have warned that the tree is inherently unstable and could collapse, especially during autumn storms.
Due to the angle of the trunk, any failure would likely see the tree fall across the car park, posing a significant hazard. As a result, parts of the car park and churchyard will be cordoned off during the felling, expected to be on 15th & 16th May, to ensure public safety.
A statement from Hailsham Parish Church said: “The Parochial Church Council has very reluctantly had to agree to this tree being felled as it has become dangerous. It has been assessed by two independent experts, most recently on 30th April 2025.
“It is suffering from extensive decay around the base of the trunk which extends to three-quarters of the circumference, with live wood being limited to just one small section, making it inherently unstable.
The decayed wood of the trunk is fracturing and splitting which means that catastrophic collapse is a real possibility when storms come in the autumn, and the angle of the trunk means that if it did collapse it would fall across the car park.
Wealden District Council will be felling it as soon as possible, and access to parts of the car park will be limited when this takes place. A replacement horse chestnut tree will be planted in the autumn in broadly the same location, but further from the retaining wall so there is adequate room for the roots. These trees grow quite quickly, and the gap will soon be filled with the new tree that should last for another 200 years.”
