Treasured Hassocks poplar tree may be saved

West Sussex County Council is carrying out urgent repair work to part of a Georgian bridge called Spitalford Bridge over Herring stream.

Part of the south side of Spitalford Bridge on Keymer Road is being lifted off its foundations by roots from the eye-catching and very old poplar tree, which some villagers believe to be a rare black poplar.

A spokesman for the county council said: “It’s more likely to be a grey poplar but we want to save it if we can. Our aim is to get a contractor up there to lift away the hard surface so we can see where the root of this tree is going.

“We still do not know the extent of where the root goes, but after the last site meeting we feel more optimistic that this tree can be saved.”