Willow tree near Abbey Wood Station cut down

The tree, which was visible from platform 1 was cut down last month when safety concerns arose after work was carried out to limit its growth to adjacent land - making the tree “unstable.”

Sophie McCook, a local to Abbey Wood, told News Shopper that she visited Abbey Wood Station early on the morning of Sunday, February 26 to find the old weeping willow being cut down.

The attractive willow tree was visible from Platform 1 (Image: Sophie McCook)

Sophie said: “Abbey Wood struggles to have nice things but this tree was one, the sun rose behind it on winter mornings.

“Over the last few years, limbs have been hacked off it but even so, it was still a lovely sight.

“Abbey Wood town centre is not a pretty place, and this was by far the most attractive thing about it.” 

A spokesperson for MTR Elizabeth Line confirmed that the tree was removed due to being deemed unstable with risks of falling, posing a risk to passengers and staff.

The tree was removed because it was deemed unstable (Image: Sophie McCook)

The tree was arranged to be cut down following discussions between a tree specialist and Bexley Council.

Salix babylonica, or Weeping Willows, can live between 40 and 70 years, reaching heights of up to 15m, and are known for offering autumnal colour during the months between September and November.

According to images from Google Street View, images of the tree on the site can be seen as far back as 2008, although it is not known precisely how many years the tree had been there prior to its removal.

The willow tree had been on the site for many years (Image: Sophie McCook)

An MTR Elizabeth Line spokesperson said: "We’re very aware of the impact that removing trees and vegetation can have on local communities and we understand that this can be distressing.

"However, managing trees and vegetation around the railway is important as it can become dangerous, posing a safety risk to trains, our passengers, railway staff, neighbours and adjacent land users and owners.

"On this occasion an assessment by a tree specialist concluded that the tree had become unstable and at risk of falling after work was carried out to it to limit its growth by an adjacent landowner.

"To prevent potential injury to persons and disruption to the railway service, running to and from Abbey Wood, it was arranged for the tree to be cut down, following liaison between the council and tree specialist."

We have contacted Bexley Council for comment.