A NEW copper beech tree has been planted in the grounds of one of the new houses being built on the site of the old monastery in Tavistock.
Site developers Cavanna Homes had to import the tree from Italy to get a suitable specimen to replace the 180-year-old beech which was cut down to make way for the new houses.
Martin Cavanna, construction director of Cavanna Homes, said the monastery was a 'particularly beautiful site' and originally had many specimens of plants.
'We kept as many as we could,' he said. 'It was a beautiful tree that we had to take down and I hope by replacing it, the tree will be there for future generations to see.'
The tree was planted by the Mayor of Tavistock Judith Williams, and eleven-year-old Katie O'Leary of Tavistock Primary School.
Katie won the honour by winning a competition entered by all the primary schools in the area. She was also given a £20 book token, plus £150 and an oak sapling for her school.
Headteacher Joe Flynn said: 'We asked the children to go through the school council and suggest ideas about how we could spend the money on making our school environment nicer.'
The money will be spent on plants for the school grounds, while the oak sapling will replace a diseased tree.