THE FUTURE of East Cowes landmark umbrella tree looks increasingly bleak after it was revealed that it would cost around £35,000 to save it.

A meeting of East Cowes Town Council last night (Thursday) heard that the cash is needed to pay for a support frame to in order for it to be propped-up.

The town council has also not been able to get insurance for the tree, the meeting was told.

As previously reported, an independent report commissioned by the council stated the tree could last another 25 years, if remedial work was done to prop it up.

Speaking after the meeting, East Cowes councillor, Karl Love, said: "It really does seem there is very little that can be done unless an 11th hour funding campaign can raise sufficient funding to save the tree and satisfy any insurance requirements.

"The tree has looked splendid this summer and great love has been shown to it. The fact is, we are out of time."

The tree was planted more than 100 years ago by Queen Victoria’s road manager, along with an identical tree which was planted in Cowes.

The Cowes tree on Prince’s Green was felled after it became diseased and the East Cowes tree was also under threat because it suffered from a fungal infection.

The infection was identified in a report commissioned by the Island’s Highways PFI contractor, Island Roads.

However, residents questioned the validity of the report, and town councillors commissioned a further independent survey to see ‘once and for all’ if the tree could be saved.

A petition to save the tree attracted 1,277 signatures with a further 852 people signing the petition online.

Dame Judi Dench and wildlife campaigner, Chris Packham, also called for the tree to be saved.