Bamboo screens to protect park's trees
Bamboo screens are being placed around trees in a Walsall park after they were damaged, amid fears fighting dogs were being trained there.
Strips of bark had been ripped from trees – some of which are more than 50 years old – at Promenade Gardens in Bloxwich.
West Midlands Police is investigating the tree attacks, which have also been reported at two parks in Sandwell.
Three trees in Warley Woods are said to have suffered damage, while six in Lightwoods Park, Smethwick, have also been reported as damaged. Council chiefs in Walsall have revealed they are taking steps to prevent any further damage.
Leisure chief Councillor Anthony Harris said: "Protective bamboo screens are being erected around several trees in Bloxwich to prevent them from being further damaged.
"The screens have cost around £110 and have been funded by Bloxwich Business Partnership CIC, who have incorporated this project as part of the Bloxwich in Bloom 2013 entry to help safeguard all that makes Bloxwich a town proud of its heritage and its local offer.
"We have also been working with local police officers and will be taking action against anyone who persists in damaging these protected trees."
The move has been welcomed by campaigners, including ward councillor Kath Phillips, who first raised concerns.
She said: "I'm pleased something is being done to try to protect trees from future attacks, although I fear it may be too late for the biggest tree, which has been very badly damaged and looks like it may die."
Police launched an investigation on damage to trees at Lightwoods Park in Smethwick last month but concluded that the damage was inconsistent with fighting dogs.
But supporters of Warley Woods and Lightwoods Park maintain it is the only possible explanation.
