A mature apple tree in the community garden at The Temp on Gravel Lane has recently been damaged by vandals.
Over the bank holiday weekend someone lit fires in the park and decided to fuel them with branches from the tree. A large, lower limb was ripped from the tree, damaging the trunk and stripping bark from around the full circumference of the tree.
Garry Olson, on behalf of Transition Wilmslow, said "This means it will surely die."
He added "This act was based on ignorance as green wood, from a living tree, won't burn. The branch was found charred but still intact."
The tree was planted as a two year old sapling as part of a small orchard developed by Transition Wilmslow in 2011. At nine years old it was producing a good crop each year and during a tour of the town in 2017, RHS judges from Britain in praised the quality of the whole garden and, in particular, the condition of the apple trees.
Transition Wilmslow's aim at the garden is to teach gardening skills and encourage people to grow more of their own food. With assistance from Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund and Cheshire East Council six new raised beds have been recently installed to take the total to fifteen.
Additionally, 7th Wilmslow Brownies and 5th Wilmslow Beavers have adopted beds and planted a range of vegetables.
To maintain the garden volunteers meet at 7pm on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer.
New participants are always welcome. Anyone interested can email Garry Olson.
