Tag Archives: cedar

Saying farewell to a much-loved friend – Cedar Tree update

The tree surgeons came today to begin the process of felling the beautiful Cedar of Lebanon Tree that has stood in the grounds of All Saints’ Church for some 100 years or so. It was identified in 2019 that the tree had had succumbed to a fungal infection which recommended the tree be felled. This was then confirmed by a further report which was undertaken in late 2024. The second report was a special x-ray survey which showed the tree was virtually hollow inside. As you can see from the photograph, the centre of the tree is hollow, with all the dark wood around the hole being dead wood. In addition, the branches were very brittle, meaning limited water was reaching them. This means that the fears of both tree specialists that branches might fall was very real.

We are immensely sad at the loss of this lovely tree. Before the tree was felled, prayers were said to give thanks for the life of the tree – and the many ways in which it has served so many different people in the area across the generations, as well as providing a home for wildlife. You can read the prayer below. Copies are available from All Saints’ Church. Please let us know if you would like one.

You can also see information about the disease on the post we made last year: Public Notice: Diseased tree to be felled

We’ll be planting a new Cedar of Lebanon Tree and will give the date on our website and social media when we have a date for this.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the life of the Cedar of Lebanon Tree at All Saints’ Church, in the Parish of South Oxhey and Carpenders Park: 11 February 2025

God, our creator and redeemer, to you who formed a thousand worlds and who gives the gift of life we give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks for the gift of life which we enjoy with the whole of creation: with the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, with the plants of the earth and the trees of the field.

We praise you especially for this amazing and beautiful cedar tree which has grown to stand so tall in this place. We praise you for shade enjoyed under its boughs when the heat of the sun has been fierce. We praise you for the shelter provided by its leaves and branches when rain has been heavy. We praise you for the food and home it has given to birds and insects. We praise you for the fun enjoyed by children who have climbed its branches in both its youth and in theirs.

God, our creator and redeemer,  we know that to all living things is given a span of life and that all living things must die. As the life of this tree comes to an end, we thank you for all the memories it holds for us, for all the pleasure it has given to us, for all the joy we have enjoyed in its presence.

To us who will miss its presence, bring consolation. To us who mourn its death, bring peace. To us who long for life, bring hope.

With all of Creation we offer these prayers to you, O Lord our God, the giver of new life in Christ. Amen.

Public Notice: Diseased tree to be felled

Following advice from the Three Rivers District Council Tree Team, it has been determined that the Cedar Tree in the grounds of All Saints’ Church must be removed to ensure the safety of the community.

The Cedar Tree, which has long been a symbol of resilience and beauty in our church grounds, has sadly succumbed to the fungal infection Phaeolus schweinitzii. This disease has caused significant decay, hollowing out sections of the tree’s root base and main trunk. As the tree leans over a pathway, road, and car park, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to fell it, prioritising the wellbeing of all who pass by.

The Vicar of All Saints’, the Revd Deborah Snowball, expressed the church’s sorrow in taking this step: “The decision to remove the Cedar Tree was not taken lightly. It is a sad day for our church and our community, as this tree has been a much-loved landmark for so many. However, our foremost concern must be the safety of everyone who visits and worships here.”

Looking to the future, 2025 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the current All Saints’ building. As part of the celebrations, we are pleased to announce that a new Cedar will be planted to commemorate the old tree and symbolise the hope and continuity of our community’s growth.

The Vicar added:”While we mourn the loss of this beautiful tree, we also look forward with hope and anticipation to the planting of a new Cedar. This new tree will stand as a testament to our enduring faith and the lasting legacy of All Saints’ Church.”

We invite all members of the community to join us in the celebrations that will take place through next year, and to take part in the planting of the new Cedar, which will carry forward the spirit of the old tree into the next chapter of our church’s history. We propose to plant the new tree on Sunday 5 January 2025 when The Reverend Anne Douglas will be present. Anne was the Vicar when the new church building opened in 2000. (Due to delays in felling the tree, a revised date for planting the new tree will be announced in due course).