A mature sycamore tree in Hogshaw Woods, owned and managed by local environmental and heritage charity Buxton Civic Association (BCA), has been deliberately vandalised in an incident the charity describes as “deeply disturbing” and “malicious.”
During routine patrols on Tuesday 12th August, BCA’s Woodland Team discovered that holes had been drilled into the tree’s trunk and a suspected pollutant, believed to be oil or a similar substance, had been injected. The tree is now showing signs of physical distress and disease and is unlikely to survive. It will almost certainly have to be felled during the autumn felling season.
The parallels with the Sycamore Gap incident in 2023 are hard to ignore — both are examples of people wilfully destroying irreplaceable parts of natural heritage.
The loss will come at a direct cost to BCA, which owns and manages Hogshaw Woods as a public amenity woodland for the benefit of residents and visitors to Buxton. This incident will add to BCA’s workload and financial burden at a time when the charity is already facing significant pressures, due to the ongoing management of 164-acres of woodland, widespread tree works to combat Ash Dieback and other issues associated with aging woodlands.
All trees in BCA’s woodlands are protected under Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), which make it a criminal offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage, or destroy trees without the written consent of the local planning authority (From UK Government 2014).
Harriet Saltis, BCA’s Woodland Manager, said:
“This incident is deeply disturbing. It is clearly a premeditated act of environmental vandalism, carried out with the intention of killing a healthy and protected tree. It impacts not only the wildlife that depends on this tree, but also the charity’s ability to manage the woodlands for the community during already challenging economic times. Sadly, we may now have to consider installing covert cameras to prevent further incidents.”
Dave Green, Chief Executive Officer, of BCA, added:
“When the Sycamore Gap tree was felled, there was national outrage — because people understand that once a tree of such age and stature is lost, it can never be replaced in our lifetime. This malicious vandalism in Buxton is no less serious. It is an attack on our shared environment, our heritage, and the sense of place that connects us to the landscape. These woodlands belong to all of us, and they deserve the same care and protection as any historic monument.”
The incident has been reported to Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Constabulary, and both parties are investigating.
BCA is appealing to anyone with information to come forward and have offered a reward of £500.00 for information that leads to a successful prosecution of the perpetrator. If you have any information, please contact woods@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
As a registered charity, BCA relies on public support to continue managing its woodlands. If you would like to help, you can become a member, volunteer your time, or donate. For more information, please visit buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk.