Banksy artwork creates urban tree debate, says pruning firm boss

Islington Council said its graffiti removal team was aware of the artwork and would not remove it.

“Culture is a powerful way to tell meaningful stories and we welcome this artwork in Islington, a borough that celebrates creativity,” a spokesperson said.

“This fantastic piece from Banksy has sparked a real buzz across Islington and beyond, and we very much want the artwork to stay for people to enjoy.”

The council added it had planted nearly 900 trees in the past year alone and this particular tree had been maintained for some time and pruned for safety in an effort to help prolong its lifespan.

It added it would continue to work to try and keep the tree alive and that it should re-bud across its crown.

But, Giovanna Iozzi who lives in the neighbouring borough and is the founder of the Haringey Tree Protectors group, feels the cherry tree was cut back too much. She believes this was the point of Banksy’s artwork.

“It is interesting he chose this tree, it looks so stark,” Ms Iozzi said. “I can’t see why it was necessary to chop all of its leaves and branches back.

“I think it is really clever what he has done. People walk past it normally – suddenly a world-famous artist does something with it and suddenly it becomes more noticed.

“What it has highlighted for us is the biodiversity. It is a very symbolic image and the way trees are generally being treated in our urban environments when we need them more than ever.

“I was astonished people have missed the point, I love Banksy and his work and I think he’s brilliant but I interpret it to be about greenwash and trees being severely pollarded.

“Cherry trees do not recover well from pollarding.”