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Residents want rid of ‘really sad’ Christmas tree
Residents in Mexborough have petitioned the council to remove a drooping Christmas tree from Adwick Road roundabout and replace it with a larger one. The dispute matters because a local businessman has offered to fund a replacement, while the council says the existing tree is healthy and may not survive being moved.
The living tree was planted in 2022 with £1,050 of public money. Community group Spirit of Mexborough says it looks “droopy and saggy”, and petition organiser Bev Chapman argues it has not recovered since its lights were removed last January. A council arboricultural report found the tree healthy; the council says it removes trees only when necessary and relocation is unlikely to be successful. The businessman has offered to pay for a fully lit tree measuring 24ft (7.3m).
In short
- Mexborough residents want the roundabout’s Christmas tree replaced.
- A businessman has offered to fund a 24ft illuminated tree.
- The council says the current tree is healthy and may not survive relocation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Residents can reasonably argue that the tree has become a disappointing feature of a prominent roundabout and that a larger, well-lit replacement would better reflect local pride and make the town feel festive. With a businessman offering to cover the cost, they may see replacement as a practical way to improve the display without asking the public to fund it again.
The case against
The council can reasonably argue that the existing tree is healthy and that moving it is unlikely to succeed, so removal could needlessly waste a living tree and the public money already spent planting it. Keeping it also fits a cautious approach to managing trees, while allowing time for it to grow and recover rather than replacing it for appearance alone.