We had to have our very tall, ancient conifer felled yesterday. I was grieved to have to do but it became necessary as we were afraid it might come down in a gale and either damage our or a neighbours house. I planted the tree nearly fifty years ago when it was a tiny sapling. It poured with rain all the time the two young men were working on it. As it had a preservation order on it we had to get permission to cut it down. The man from the tree department of the council suggested we replace it with a fruit tree. We are now looking for a Victoria plum tree.