Hope historic Mid Wales tree blown over in storm winds can be saved
Llanfyllin's iconic Lonely Tree, which was blown over in last week's storms, could yet be saved, town councillors have been told.
The landmark tree, which has stood over Llanfyllin for about 200 years and has become part of the town's history and legend, was blown down on Wednesday.
Residents initially feared the tree had been lost because of the damage it had sustained.
But town councillors were told last night experts believe the tree can be saved as long as emergency work to protect its remaining roots is carried out quickly.
Councillors agreed to set up a funding appeal to meet the cost of some of the work.
They also agreed the council will underwrite the cost of the work should the public appeal not gather enough funds.
The tree stands on land owned by the family of Llanfyllin's county councillor Peter Lewis.
He told last night's meeting the fate of the Scots pine had sparked huge public interest from near and far and he had even been visited by TV crews.
He said: "A lot of experts have come to see it. They have said there are roots still left in the soil.
"I think part of it may live. They have said to leave the roots,and stop it drying out and fence the tree off and see in 12 months how it is going.
"To move the tree would be to kill it. It is lying down now. The important thing now is to get the soil there now and to fill it because you don't want to roots to dry out."
Councillor Lewis said there had been huge interest in the future of tree and when he visited it on Sunday there were about 15 people there to see the damage.
He said: "It is part of the history of the town and there is a lot of concern. I think people want to know what they can do to help."
Councillor Ian Jones said a public appeal should be set up to pay for the work to safeguard the tree to give the remaining roots a chance of survival.
The council agreed and said any funding raised in an appeal, which will be advertised on the town council's website, would help pay for the hire of a dumper truck to take soil up to the tree and protect the roots.
Funding would also pay for fencing to erected around the tree to give it the best chance of survival.
