ANCIENT trees planted by the Duke of Bedford in Tavistock town centre more than 100 years ago have received a temporary stay of execution, pending further professional advice. The lime trees, in the grounds of the parish church in West Street and in front of the Abbey Chapel were assessed as dangerous by a local tree surgeon in a report to Tavistock Town Council. But at last week's meeting of the council's properties committee, a member of the town's tree preservation group issued a plea to reconsider axing the ancient limes. Brian Fyfield-Shayler said: 'We are very pleased that the survey has been commissioned, but we believe measures could be taken to make them safe; measures other than felling.' Mr Fyfield-Shayler said the group felt removing the weight from the top of the trees would probably be enough to make them safe and reduce any perceived risk to the public, and he asked the council to consider further advice regarding the five limes. Cllr Ted Sherrell said the felling of trees was an emotive issue but the tree surgeon had pointed out that the diseased trees were close to areas of heavy public use and the council had a duty of care to the town's residents. He favoured further consultation with the tree specialist in the light of Mr Fyfield-Shayler's proposals in the first instance. Cllr Norma Woodcock said she was in favour of all things historic — but that did not mean it was always right to preserve just for the sake of it. 'If the trees are to be heavily pollarded, will they be worthwhile to look at?' she said, stressing the need for the council to have a replanting programme for its trees as they reached the end of their lives. Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'We have received professional advice and I have great concerns here. If they have to come down I would very much hope we would certainly replace the trees, but not with small ones — you can buy mature trees that can be planted at any time of the year.' And Cllr Alison Clish-Green suggested that perhaps individuals or members of the business community in Tavistock could be approached to sponsor replacement trees. Council works manager Wayne Southall suggested he had a further site meeting with the tree surgeon, but he doubted the trees could be saved for much longer. He said there was money in the works budget to replace trees and it would be 'easily achievable' to do so. The decision to have further talks with the tree surgeon was due to be ratified by the full council as the Times went to press this week.