A healthy tree had to be removed after being “deliberately poisoned”, posing a possible threat to road users and passersby.

The tree was found at the top of Station Road at the junction with Manchester Road in Blackrod and was poisoned by an unknown person before being cut down by council officials.

Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, said that after being poisoned officials had no option but to remove the tree because of the danger it could have posed.

He said: “If a tree is dying then that can weaken the root system which means that the tree can then become uprooted.

The tree showed signs of having been deliberately poisonedThe tree showed signs of having been deliberately poisoned (Image: Cllr David Grant)

“And if it comes up and goes into the road that means it could hit a moving car which would be incredibly dangerous.

“So, damaging a tree like that, its reckless.”

In particular a weakened tree could have been blown over and out into the road during windy or stormy weather, causing road delays or at worst a serious accident.

The tree had to be removedThe tree had to be removed (Image: Cllr David Grant)

Station Road is one of the main routes into Blackrod from Horwich, while Manchester Road cuts all the way through the middle of the area, meaning that the road is always likely to be well used.

Cllr Grant said that he had made enquiries with the council about why the apparently healthy tree had been cut down and it was then that he was told it had been “deliberately poisoned.”

He said that the drill marks in the trunk and a drill bit embedded in the base of the tree showed evidence of this.

Bolton Council’s policy is that felling trees without permission is illegal given that it can harm wildlife and the environment.

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Some areas of woodland are preserved by tree protection orders at various locations around the borough.

The council has an application process that people can use if they want to see works done to trees and hedgerows in their areas.

Cllr Grant said: “There are official channels to go through, but the council’s policy is that they will not remove a healthy tree.”

He said he has made enquiries about planting a new tree.

Local tree surgeon Mark Ainsworth, of Arbortec Tree Surgeons, said: "People poisoning trees has always been going on, concrete metal bars, paraffin, you see all sorts of crazy things being a tree surgeon in Bolton."