Fallen branch damages headstone at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
13 June 2012
A headstone at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, near Poperinge
in Belgium, was damaged when the recent stormy weather brought down
a large branch from a Liquidambar styraciflua (American sweetgum)
tree.
Fortunately it happened at night so no one was hurt and the
cemetery did not have to be closed to the public at any time. A
temporary marker has been placed on the grave and a new headstone
has been ordered.
The Commission has a tree risk assessment programme in place. It
monitors the condition of trees and takes action as necessary.
This tree had been assessed as only medium risk because a rotten
branch could not be seen from the ground. All the Liquidambars
at the cemetery will have a climbed assessment in the coming
weeks.
It is possible that striking cedar trees at Lijssenthoek will
eventually have to be removed for safety reasons.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery was established near the site of
clearing stations for casualties from the Ypres Salient. It is the
second largest CWGC cemetery in Belgium, after Tyne Cot Cemetery.