Council chiefs have come under fire for "butchering" trees at a popular local beauty spot, Coronation Park in Port Glasgow, often chosen as the picturesque setting for wedding photos. Inverclyde Council workers recently undertook 'crown raising', effectively trimming the tops of the trees and significantly altering the park's landscape.

Despite council officials maintaining that the 'pollarding' was crucial for public safety and tree longevity, local wedding photographer Louise Gault argues that the park's charm has been 'destroyed', potentially leaving many future newlyweds devastated. Louise expressed her shock, saying: "I couldn't believe it when I saw what they had done to the trees. I am no expert but it is horrendous. That will take many, many years to grow back."

She added: "Everyone from Port Glasgow wants their photographs taken at Coronation Park. It is one of my favourite places for wedding pictures. It looked beautiful. But that has now been destroyed. We take back to school photographs there as well."

Louise also noted a similar incident at Newark Castle, questioning the necessity of such drastic pruning. She lamented the loss of shade for families enjoying sunny days at the park, stating: "Coronation Park is so popular in Port Glasgow. On a sunny day it is full, and now there is nowhere for families to get shade. I just think it is a real shame."

Thomas Klein, a groom from Port Glasgow, was left dismayed after the trees in Coronation Park, a popular spot for wedding photos, were pruned. Thomas expressed his shock, stating: "I just think it is shocking."

He added: "Everyone from Port Glasgow wants to have their photographs taken there. My wife is from Port Glasgow and wanted the Coronation Park for our pictures." He lamented that future couples would no longer be able to capture their special moments at this location due to the council's actions.

He criticised the council's decision, saying: "The council have spent all that money on the sculpture and then they have taken away the trees." In response, an Inverclyde Council spokesperson explained: "We regularly inspect and carry out maintenance on trees throughout the area." They elaborated on the situation in Coronation Park, saying: "The trees in Coronation Park were growing too close to each other and were in fact starting to grow into each other."

They also pointed out that the tree canopies were blocking light and causing moss growth, which posed a slipping hazard. They justified the pruning as a necessary measure for public safety and tree health, stating: "The trees have therefore been crown raised – a tree pruning technique – in the interests of public safety and tree health to prolong the lifespan of trees."

This isn't the first time the council has faced criticism for its tree management. In 2021, trees in Campbell Street and Finnart Street in Greenock's west end were heavily pruned and are yet to fully recover.