MORE than 40 trees have been axed at an iconic county spot – but the view is unlikely to change.
One large Corsican Pine tree killed by Red Band Needle Blight was removed on Tuesday by a contractor appointed by Longhope Parish Council.
Around 40 smaller trees, planted to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 have been thinned out. They are not affected by the disease but removing them will help airflow, which helps combat the blight.
And taking those trees out won't change the view of the clump atop the hill between Newent and the edge of the Forest of Dean.
"We have done some sensitive thinning of the smaller trees which have not been affected by the blight, plus taken out one dead tree," said parish councillor Dave East.
