Coronavirus measures may have destroyed years of work: iconic Cornwall beauty spot St Michael's Mount loses 80% of its trees to Storm Goretti.
The usually tranquil tidal island of St Michael's Mount in the far south-west of Britain has become a site of intense activity, with gardeners armed with chainsaws and wood chippers tackling the aftermath of the devastating damage caused by Storm Goretti. The latest count shows that 119 large trees were felled, including holm oaks, hollies, sycamores and Monterey pines, which are as wide as four-storey homes.
Head gardener Darren Little described the scene: "When I got out here the next morning, it was still dark but I could see the tree line had changed. As dawn broke, the scale became clear – it's devastating. In a few hours it destroyed years of work and changed the profile of the island."
The garden has lost about 80% of its tree cover due to the storm, with many beloved trees falling across west Cornwall. The loss is estimated in the tens of thousands on some estates.
Ian Marsh, the National Trust's assistant director for the south-west, said: "One long-term impact is the loss of specimen trees that people really identify with." He noted that these trees are often not just visually striking but also carry emotional value and personal memories.
The usually tranquil tidal island of St Michael's Mount in the far south-west of Britain has become a site of intense activity, with gardeners armed with chainsaws and wood chippers tackling the aftermath of the devastating damage caused by Storm Goretti. The latest count shows that 119 large trees were felled, including holm oaks, hollies, sycamores and Monterey pines, which are as wide as four-storey homes.
Head gardener Darren Little described the scene: "When I got out here the next morning, it was still dark but I could see the tree line had changed. As dawn broke, the scale became clear – it's devastating. In a few hours it destroyed years of work and changed the profile of the island."
The garden has lost about 80% of its tree cover due to the storm, with many beloved trees falling across west Cornwall. The loss is estimated in the tens of thousands on some estates.
Ian Marsh, the National Trust's assistant director for the south-west, said: "One long-term impact is the loss of specimen trees that people really identify with." He noted that these trees are often not just visually striking but also carry emotional value and personal memories.
Storm Goretti must've had a serious identity crisis - like, 'You know what? I'm done with these trees! Time to chop them down!' 
And now Cornwall's got a whole lotta pruning to do... literally! 80% of those trees? That's like losing all your favorite snacks in the fridge - it's devastating! 
But on the bright side, I guess St Michael's Mount is getting a radical makeover 
. Guess Darren Little was right, though - when that storm hit, he must've thought he'd woken up to a bad dream... or worse, a wood-chipper-wielding nightmare 
... Those trees are like, a part of the island's history you know? I mean, 80% gone is crazy! Back in my day, we didn't have all these new-fangled weather warnings and evacuation plans. We just dealt with it, ya know? And now they're trying to replant everything but I'm sure it won't be the same... those old trees were like, iconic 
... those iconic trees were like a part of the island's history, you know? And it's crazy how much damage Storm Goretti caused - 80% is huge! 
80% of those trees is a huge loss, you know? its not just the beauty of nature that gets lost, but also the emotional connection people have with them... my grandma used to take me there all the time and we'd sit under those holm oaks 
. i feel bad for head gardener darren little and the national trust crew, they must be heartbroken. its just so sad when nature's fury hits like that 
about what happened to St Michael's Mount! Those trees were literally a work of art 
and now they're gone... like, 80% of them! 
Can't we just take care of our planet instead of cutting down everything that's beautiful? 
I mean 80% of the trees gone is crazy! 
the fact that it took only 2-3 hours to destroy all those trees is crazy, like, didn't we learn anything from coronavirus? 
anyway, i hope they can replant or restore the island soon 
I mean what's the point of having all those trees if some freak storm comes along and destroys them? It's like, years of work gone down the drain literally 
I can imagine how heartbreaking it must be for the gardener Darren Little to see his hard work destroyed in an instant 
And those specimen trees that people identify with? They're not just decorations, they hold memories for people's families and loved ones 
. Maybe this is a wake-up call for us to take better care of our environment? We can't just sit back and expect nature to do all the work 
i remember visiting last summer and the gardens were literally stunning 
at least the island is still there, right? 
... I remember when my grandparents used to tell me about the old days of St Michael's Mount, how it was a peaceful haven with lush greenery and wildlife 
. Now it looks like a battle-scarred island 
. 80% of the trees just gone in one storm? That's crazy 
... It's not just about the trees, though - those specimen trees hold a lot of history and memories for people 
.
. I mean, who needs 80% of their tree cover when you can have more selfie spots for Instagram? 
! St Michael's Mount has such a special vibe, and now it's lost most of its forest 
. It's not just about the aesthetic value; it's about preserving history and personal connections 
. Hope they can replant and restore it to its former glory soon