A split yew trunk moving in the wind is no place for a shortcut or a photograph.
A protected yew in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Barnes, has been cleared for felling. Richmond Council granted permission on 27 October, giving the tree's "unsafe condition and rapid advance of decay" as the reason.
The supporting statement says the stem "suffered further damage" in Storm Austen, with cracks on its south side "opening and closing in the wind". An assessment said the tree should be removed immediately, and the application was amended to a five-day dangerous-tree notification.
The proposal is to replace it with one yew "in alternative location within churchyard". The file also notes that the churchyard was temporarily closed but that members of the public were still entering the danger zone. A split trunk moving in the wind is no place for a shortcut or a photograph.
Replacing a lost yew is the right call; a churchyard beside the Green would look wrong without one. The practical test is whether the site is made safe and reopened promptly.
- Richmond Council granted permission on 27 October 2026 by delegated decision to fell a TPO-protected yew at St Marys Barnes Parish Church, SW13 9HL.
- The application was validated on 15 October and amended to a 5 day dead/dangerous notification.
- The stated reason is the tree's 'unsafe condition and rapid advance of decay', with the stem split open on its southern side after Storm Austen.
- One replacement yew is to be planted in an alternative location within the churchyard.
- The supporting statement says the churchyard was temporarily closed but members of the public were still entering the danger zone.
- The felling date, tree age and replacement location are not given in the register.
Every factual claim in this story is linked to the evidence behind it. Where the newsroom has added judgement or framing, it is listed separately. Sources accessed 30 October 2026.
- Richmond planning register, PA26/3522 (council)
- St Mary's Barnes, History & Architecture (not read) (other)
Claim by claim (7 facts, 5 editorial judgements)
- Richmond Council granted permission on 27 October 2026 by delegated decision for works to the yew at St Marys Barnes Parish Church. — council, 2026-10-27“Granted Permission; Decided: 2026-10-27 by Delegated Decision”
- The proposal is to fell 'Yew (tree 60, conifer of TPO T0028)' because of its 'unsafe condition and rapid advance of decay'. — council, 2026-10-27“1001 Yew (tree 60, conifer of TPO T0028)... unsafe condition and rapid advance of decay”
- One replacement yew is to be planted in an alternative location within the churchyard. — council, 2026-10-27“Replace with one yew tree in alternative location within churchyard”
- The application was validated on 15 October and amended to a 5 day dead/dangerous notification. — council, 2026-10-15“Amended to 5 day Dead/dangerous notification”
- The supporting statement says Storm Austen further damaged the stem, which split open on its southern side and suffered primary stem failure. — council, 2026-10-27“During the passage of Storm Austen on Friday, the stem suffered further damage and is now flexing such that the vertically aligned cracks on the south side of the stem are opening and closing in the w”
- The assessment said the tree should be removed immediately without waiting for determination of the TPO application. — council, 2026-10-27“should be removed immediately without waiting for determination of the TPO application”
- The churchyard was temporarily closed but the public were still entering the danger zone. — council, 2026-10-27“The churchyard has been temporarily closed but I understand that members of the public are still entering the danger zone”
- Judgement: Friday would be 24 October if it refers to the most recent Friday, but this is not confirmed.
- Judgement: It began as routine paperwork and the tree's condition changed faster than the form could.
- Judgement: That is the line worth heeding. A split yew trunk moving in the wind is no place for a shortcut or a photograph.
- Judgement: Replacing a lost yew is the right call, and a churchyard without one would look wrong.
- Judgement: The question for the next ten days is practical: will the churchyard be open and safe for Remembrance Sunday?
