Radstock Jubilee oak tree moved for new road layout
An oak tree which was planted for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee has been uprooted as part of plans for a new road layout.
Bath and North East Somerset Council said the tree, in Radstock, had to be moved and that now was the best time of year to do it so that it can survive.
The council had planned to fell the tree, but a compromise was reached after residents fought to save it.
A small number came to protest about the move on Sunday morning.
The tree was planted 1897. It is being replanted at Writhlington School.
Amanda Leon from the Radstock Action Group watched the tree being moved and said she was not convinced it would survive.
"The roads were shut off and then they moved in with a truck with a device on the back to grab the tree trunk.
"They hacked off a lot of roots and covered what was left with a tarpaulin hoisted it on to the back of a lorry and off they went.
"We notice the hole [at Writhlington School] was only dug yesterday.
"It's in stony ground and won't be a very good environment for any tree to live in," Ms Leon said.
Bath and North East Somerset Council believes the road upgrade will help regenerate Radstock and cut congestion.
Despite the removal of the tree, planning consent for the road layout proposals has not yet been secured.
If granted approval, work is expected to begin in the autumn of 2013.