Giant Powys Buffalo Bill tree from 1904 is cut down

One of the town’s giant sequoia (or possibly redwood) trees has been felled, having been planted at the beginning of the 20th century in anticipation of the visit of renowned American Civil War figure Buffalo Bill, in 1904.

Philip and Sue Parkinson moved to a property in North Road around three years ago, and at first probably marvelled at the grand old sequoia standing pride of place in their garden.

However, they soon realised they had a problem.

The ancient tree – probably planted 122 years ago – has been shedding its branches in recent years, resulting in two cars being destroyed. (Image: Matt Jones)

The ancient tree – probably planted 122 years ago – has been shedding its branches in recent years, resulting in two cars being destroyed.

It is a unique tree in other ways too, boasting two stems, which has complicated matters further. This has led to the tree being braced by experts twice.

With high winds and bad weather from recent storms leading to tree surgeons felling other trees in the nearby Groe area, Phil realised he needed to act.

“We found out after we bought this house, around three years ago, that before we bought it a couple of big branches fell down and actually destroyed two cars that were parked on the road next to the tree, which is right on the boundary,” said Philip.

“Since moving in there have been several other instances where, without any warning at all, a big heavy branch comes down.

“And it could be someone standing in our garden that it falls on next, or someone walking on the pavement.

“North Road is a popular area of town, where people walk and exercise their dogs, there are people running and cycling.

“We’re right next to the high school and the swimming pool over the road is always busy.
“So, we expressed our concerns to the council that this shouldn’t really be allowed to go on any longer.

“It had already been braced twice in recent years because it has two stems; that’s been a temporary solution to a more long-term problem.”

Builth Wells Town Council announced that there would be a road closure in place on North Road from 8am-5pm between October 29-31, while the tree was tackled.

A crane, tractor and trailer and a team of tree surgeons have worked to cut down the tree on North Road this week. (Image: Kathryn Woods)

It is believed the tree was planted at around the same time as other sequoias back at the turn of the last century.

Two more giants stand at the entrance to The Groe car park, while an avenue of other trees along the footpath that runs alongside the River Wye provide a picturesque backdrop for locals and visitors to the town.

The trees were planted in 1903 in anticipation of the visit of Buffalo Bill – real name William Frederick Cody, but better known as Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill was a former American soldier, bison hunter and showman, who brought his traveling Buffalo Bill's Wild West show to Builth in 1904.

Almost gone: The giant tree is believed to have been planted around 122 years ago, for the visit of Buffalo Bill to Builth. (Image: Matt Jones)

Phil believes that a former town councillor lived at his and Sue’s property at the time and took the opportunity to plant some spare seeds or a sapling in their garden.

The felling of the tree after more than 100 years serves as a stark reminder, says Phil, that you should be careful what you wish for.

He added: “The tree is from the Buffalo Bill days. I think they ordered a pile of trees and had some left over.

“Maybe some people on the council involved with it all planted them in their gardens. I think it’s quite probable that a former councillor used to live here.

“I don’t blame them but when you plant something like a giant sequoia tree in your garden then there will be long-term consequences that someone else will have to deal with.

“That task has now fallen on us as the current owners.”