THE Vale council has outlined what it plans to do after stormy weather destroyed The Knap Lake and Gardens’ ‘Friendship Tree’.

Officers revealed their plan after artist Glyn Pooley launched a public appeal for £5,000 to replace the 40 to 50-year-old Blue Atlantic Cedar – claiming market forces meant it would cost that amount for a mature tree.

The funding appeal, for the tree on council land, was made without the authority’s knowledge.

The council said another tree would not cost that amount, but it would welcome funds raised by community groups.

The tree was identified and dedicated by local community art project Art4U Wales, based in Canon Street, Barry, with Mr Pooley being the sponsor of the idea.

Mr Pooley said: “Our Friendship Tree is the focal point of a growing community of peace, love, and belonging. It nurtures an appreciation of nature and the development of self-awareness to spread harmony to others and share the precious human interconnection we all seek.

“We need to replace it so its benefits continue to be shared by all who experience it.”

Mr Pooley said The Friendship Tree Festival began on May, 1 2010 as an artwork focused on community and nature. It was accompanied by an ephemeral, delicate, floating sculpture called Rainbow Bridge. The two pieces represented a journey to something nurturing and uplifting.

He said: “During the years that have passed our community and many visitors have added to it,creating the ever-changing piece you see today.

“Every year we recharge the artwork with a festival celebrating peace, love, friendship and nature, a universal message of hope that has touched and transformed many thousands of people's lives, often in subtle and sensitive ways.”

Vale council operational manager for leisure, Dave Knevett said although the tree was safe for the moment, the remaining part of the Friendship Tree would have to be removed as further storm damage during the autumn and winter could make it unsafe.

He said: “This will be done in the coming weeks.

“The council will then plant and dedicate a new friendship tree in the park. We would not as a matter of course plant a fully mature tree to replace one that had fallen due to storm damage, partly because of the cost and partly because these are more difficult to establish once moved.

“Our parks team would, however, be more than happy to work with any community group keen to raise funds to purchase a more mature sapling. We would not expect this to cost anything close to £5,000.”