THE future of the horse chestnut trees, which form an impressive entrance to The Butts end of the town, could hang in the balance as an investigation is launched into whether or not they are the most appropriate species for the job.
As owners of the green, Alton Town Council has been advised that, since horse chestnuts appear particularly susceptible to disease, it may no longer be appropriate to replace any trees which have to be removed with the same species.
The suggestion has already sparked concern among councillors and local residents, who point out that horse chestnuts have graced The Butts for almost a century and it is only in recent years that problems have occurred.
Speaking at last week's meeting of ATC's recreation committee, local resident Michael Wilson suggested that problems with the trees only seem to have occurred since the laying of the pipework along The Butts which forms part of the main sewer from Four Marks to Alton.
He suggested that while salt from the roads and vehicle fumes may play a contributory part, seepage from the sewer pipe could be the cause of the problem.
Fellow resident Quentin Albertson agreed, suggesting that consistent damage to the roots could lead to the growth of destructive honey fungus from which several trees have suffered recently. He further pointed out that the trees appeared to be dying in sequence, which would reflect the nature of this disease.
Mr Albertson suggested the use of a newly developed treatment which could be used to give both mature and young trees protection against the fungus. He felt that all young trees would be vulnerable to infection, whatever their species.
Both men sought to express the strength of feeling among local residents that horse chestnuts should continue to be planted on The Butts since it would be impossible to "get that same look" with a different species.
As part of The Butts tree management strategy, Alton Town Council has been monitoring the trees over the past 12 months and, according to town clerk Steven Parkinson, was now faced with having to fell yet another mature tree.
The horse chestnut, which stands on the main road side of The Butts - the side of the sewer - has been showing signs of distress. Both East Hampshire District Council's arboricultural officer Stewart Garside and the town's own tree warden Jim Dickinson have advised that the tree is dying and, for reasons of safety, should be removed as soon as possible.
While tradition has always been to replace removed trees with the same species, both experts have strongly advised a review of this policy.
"While I can sympathise with the visual impact of a change in species, when two professionals with over half a century between them of experience in managing trees recommend a review of policy I feel we have to look at it," Mr Parkinson told the meeting.
In stressing that the town council had always fought strongly to maintain horse chestnuts on The Butts, Allan Chick pointed out that the trench containing the sewer pipe was deep and if it was leaking it would not necessarily show up on the surface - a point reiterated by colleague Bob Evans, who felt that if there was any seepage Thames Water should be made to put it right.
It was agreed therefore that the open spaces working party should carry out an in-depth investigation into the matter, and that Mr Parkinson should employ the services of an engineer to test for leakage of the sewer pipe.