Extinction Rebellion protesters occupy the 600-year-old oak tree to prevent it from being cut down as part of a road project.
The militant eco-group has been living in the boom to avoid widening the A303 in Somerset as part of a £250m plan.
XR members – including a deputy mayor – also take turns pulling themselves up in the oak tree, while those on the ground support them.
One of the group in the weeks since they began occupying the area also had to be taken to hospital by paramedics after a wasp sting and anaphylactic shock.
The protest was supported by presenter Chris Packham who called it a “wonderful” and “beautiful” tree.
Work began in September 2021 to double the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts, with approval by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, and most of the area around the oak has already been bulldozed.
It gives way to a new driveway connecting the new dual carriageway to the nearby Hazlegrove Prep School.
Protesters occupy a 600-year-old tree to prevent it from being cut – to build a £250m road. Pictured: The oak tree at Queen Camel in Somerset, surrounded by works
Fifi Wolf, Indra Donfranscesco, Julien Hight, Direction Action Volunteer, Dav and David MacMillan with the old oak tree at Queen Camel in Somerset, which is guarded by protesters.
Direction Action Volunteer, Dev, makes his way through the old oak tree at Queen Camel in Somerset
Glastonbury Cllr Indra Donfrancesco campaigner and Deputy Mayor said: ‘It’s a veteran tree. She is about four or five hundred years old. There’s nothing wrong with her. She is an oak.
“We found out about two and a half weeks ago that she was going to be felled.
‘We cannot afford to lose trees in a time of climate crisis. And in the time when we see heat waves and the amazing thing about camping under this tree is that it shields us.’
She also claimed bailiffs arrived Monday, but said XR won’t come out of the tree.
Dav, a tree surgeon who claims to travel the world to save trees, does much of the rigging so the team can climb the oak tree.
He explained that they are “ready for possible evictions” and added: “It must be protected. It’s like a small ecosystem in a field. People don’t care about monkeys and we stand up for nature.’
A drone shot showing how everything around the tree has been prepared to be part of the road widening plan while the oak remains in the center
The protest has gained the support of presenter Chris Packham who called it a ‘wonderful’ and ‘beautiful’ tree
Protesters put up a sign at the old oak tree at Queen Camel in Somerset
The tree that towers over the flattened area, while the tents are seen under its old branches
One of the main protesters has posted numerous updates to his Twitter feed since the start of the action.
Simon Be said, ‘This tree has watched over this land for 600 years. National Highways has deliberately misrepresented its age and size to evade its legal obligations.
“All those here are prepared to be arrested by non-violent resistance.”
Wildlife presenter Mr Packham, who in response to Simon tweeted: ‘This is a beautiful tree. It is beautiful. It is important, precious, a treasure.
‘It must be cherished. Please National Highways, rethink this. It will never be replaced.’
Fifi Wolf camps in the old oak tree near Queen Camel in Somerset and is seen in a hammock by a sign that reads ‘Roots Not Routes’
The tents the group sleeps in are currently pictured under the tree, along with much of their belongings being scattered around the encampment
The protesters appealed to the Supreme Court to secure the tree’s future, but that was unsuccessful.
National Highways stated that their own assessment of the oak had estimated it to be “about 400-450 years old,” and that it was not subject to any form of conservation order.
Relocation of the driveway was considered in the planning stage, but this would have resulted in ‘serious delays’ and attempts to relocate the tree would not have been feasible.
The agency – formerly known as Highways England – said it is committed to planting new trees to prevent biodiversity loss from the A303 plan, and that removing the tree has always been ‘a last resort’.
A bulldozer is pictured on the site near the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts, which will be duplicated as part of the plan
A solar panel is attached to the tree along with water supplies as the group plans their next move to wait for them to be moved
Protesters have occupied an old oak tree in Somerset in a desperate attempt to prevent it from being demolished as part of a major road construction plan. Here they are pictured cooking and sleeping in the open air
Protesters have set up camp around the old oak tree at Queen Camel in Somerset
National Highways said it “respects the right to protest” but argued it should cut trees like this one where it is “necessary to allow us to improve traffic.” In the photo: the tree dropped by the road manager
A spokesperson said: “We respect the right to protest and will work with the police and all relevant authorities, and those protesting, to ensure everyone is safe.
“We take our responsibility for the environment very seriously and are one of the largest tree planting organizations in the UK, with plans to plant a further three million trees by 2030.
‘We only cut or fell trees where it is essential to protect people, protect the environment or where it is necessary to improve transport.’