Neighbours who had their gardens destroyed by a 40ft falling tree in the bank holiday high winds were today seeking compensation from the council.
Cliff and Elizabeth Partridge and Graham and Karen Tew, of Ettingshall Park, claim officials from Wolverhampton City Council had previously told them the ash tree was “sound”.
However, after it crashed into their gardens during Monday and caused thousands of pounds of damage, the tree was found to be rotten throughout.
The couples have been locked in a 10-year-old battle with the council over the “out-of-control trees” to the rear of their homes based along Lapper Avenue.
Mrs Tew, who is a 60-year-old retired Birmingham Midshires worker, explained: “We have been worried about the ash tree for a while as it has been leaning towards our houses.
“But the council came to see it and declared it safe and sound,” she said.
“The next thing we know, a huge portion came crashing down in the wind.
“The council sent some officers around to investigate and they said that it was rotten. We just can’t believe it – how could they get it so wrong? Someone could have been killed,” she added.
The fallen branch caused more than £2,000 of damage.
It smashed onto the Tews’ shed, while 64-year-old Mr Tew was inside. It also fell into the Partridges’ garden – flattening their brand new greenhouse, fencing and also his plants.
Mrs Tew added: “We will be seeking compensation. We have been complaining about the trees in Mount Road for 10 years.
“They were once really out of control and it took an age for the council to remove them and when they finally did they left the ash tree, saying it was safe.”
Mr and Mrs Partridge were at their caravan in Ludlow when the tree came crashing down.
Mrs Partridge, who is a 60-year-old dinner lady at Hill Avenue Primary School, said: “We’re always in the garden and this could very easily have been a tragedy.
“Everything here is destroyed,” she said.
Wolverhampton City Council is investigating.
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