A HISTORIC tree at the heart of picturesque Thornton-in-Craven might have to be felled due to its deteriorating state.

Parish councillors were due to meet last night (Thursday) to consider the fate of the Lough Tree, which stands next to the A56 road through the village, close to the old post office.

A specialist survey of the tree has found that it is in poor condition and potentially hazardous. It could be saved through drastic action to reduce its size, but the end result would be unattractive. The alternative is to fell the tree and replant with a new specimen.

The Lough Tree - often called The Love Tree - is a lime tree thought to be more than 200 years old. Walled around the base of the trunk and often used as a resting place by villagers and walkers on the Pennine Way, it has become a focal point of the village.

But while the tree might appear healthy, a specialist survey by arboricultural consultant Iain Tavendale has shown otherwise.

He was commissioned by the parish council as part of its duty of care to assess potential risks in the village. Parish council chairman Marjorie Lord said members suspected there might be problems, although the full extent was not known.

It is spelt out in Mr Tavendale's report, copies of which have been sent to every household in the village and to Craven District Council.

The report highlights a number of problems, including the degeneration and decay of timber in the upper sections where the tree has been previously topped and pruned. A test boring of the trunk also found that it had decayed in the centre and was hollow inside, with only about 25cm of solid wood remaining around the trunk's circumference to support the tree's considerable weight and size.

The report states: "The tree is clearly in an advanced state of stress and declining in a relatively predictable manner due to a combination of decay, old age and previous undesirable management practices."

It adds that considerable reduction in the height and spread of the tree would be needed to make it safe and reduce the load on the hollow trunk, but that work would "significantly reduce the visual amenity currently afforded and will necessitate detailed management on a regular basis".

Mr Tavendale wrote: "Personally however, I would always be extremely concerned about the tree and would question whether the risk involved, plus the cost of ongoing and regular management, could be reasonably justified."

However, his report adds that there should be no problem in replanting on the site and he recommends another lime tree.

"Whilst I accept there will be some initial loss of visual amenity, a new tree will become rapidly established and will create an attractive and safe feature within the village," wrote Mr Tavendale.

In the past he has been involved with replacing "landmark" trees in other villages, including the elm tree in Elm Tree Square, Embsay, and a sycamore in the centre of Langcliffe.

"In both villages there was considerable initial concern, but the new trees have developed well and in respect of Embsay there is now a significant feature present," he wrote.

Parish council chairman Mrs Lord said she was looking forward to a lively debate at last night's meeting as opinion was divided on the matter.