A TREE which has stood at the centre of a village community for two centuries is to be cut down because it is riddled with disease.
The 200-year-old green beech, at the centre of Acklam, Middlesbrough, was branded unsafe after a visit by inspectors from Ryedale District Council.
Two large branches have fallen off the 120ft tree in recent weeks and council officers feared it would not survive a heavy storm.
Residents have accepted the fate of the landmark, which officers said was infected with a wood-rotting fungi.
A district council spokes-man said: "We have got no other option than to cut down - especially since it is now a potential health hazard. We will be cutting down the tree in coming weeks and that will get rid of the danger."
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