Storm Goretti has left its devastating mark on St Michael's Mount, a tranquil beauty spot in Cornwall. The tidal island was transformed into a scene of utter destruction as gardeners wielding chainsaws and wood chippers worked to clear the fallen trees.
The full extent of the damage is stark - 119 large trees were felled, including majestic holm oaks, hollies, sycamores and Monterey pines that stood tall for decades. The tree cover on the island has been ravaged, with around 80% of its foliage now gone.
"It's devastating," Darren Little, the head gardener at St Michael's Mount said. "The scale became clear as dawn broke - it's destroyed years of work and changed the profile of the island." Little described the scene upon arriving at the site the next morning as "dark but then suddenly came to life with the sun rising". The sheer scale of the devastation was only fully apparent when daylight fell.
Despite efforts by gardeners, tens of thousands of trees across Cornwall have been lost to Storm Goretti. These ancient woods are vital for wildlife and a popular spot for walkers and nature lovers.
The loss of specimen trees that people really identify with is a particular blow. For dog owners, these ancient trees become an integral part of their daily walks - a place where they can share memories with their pets.
St Michael's Mount has already begun to look towards the future, with plans to replant and restore its landscapes in the coming months. "It's in the spaces between light and dark that new ideas begin" said Polly Bolitho, from Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Her words capture the resilience of the people of Cornwall as they vow to rebuild their natural beauty.
Meanwhile, experts warn of a growing trend - strong storms are becoming more frequent due to climate change. For wildlife lovers, this means that beloved trees will continue to be lost unless urgent action is taken.
The full extent of the damage is stark - 119 large trees were felled, including majestic holm oaks, hollies, sycamores and Monterey pines that stood tall for decades. The tree cover on the island has been ravaged, with around 80% of its foliage now gone.
"It's devastating," Darren Little, the head gardener at St Michael's Mount said. "The scale became clear as dawn broke - it's destroyed years of work and changed the profile of the island." Little described the scene upon arriving at the site the next morning as "dark but then suddenly came to life with the sun rising". The sheer scale of the devastation was only fully apparent when daylight fell.
Despite efforts by gardeners, tens of thousands of trees across Cornwall have been lost to Storm Goretti. These ancient woods are vital for wildlife and a popular spot for walkers and nature lovers.
The loss of specimen trees that people really identify with is a particular blow. For dog owners, these ancient trees become an integral part of their daily walks - a place where they can share memories with their pets.
St Michael's Mount has already begun to look towards the future, with plans to replant and restore its landscapes in the coming months. "It's in the spaces between light and dark that new ideas begin" said Polly Bolitho, from Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Her words capture the resilience of the people of Cornwall as they vow to rebuild their natural beauty.
Meanwhile, experts warn of a growing trend - strong storms are becoming more frequent due to climate change. For wildlife lovers, this means that beloved trees will continue to be lost unless urgent action is taken.
I just saw this news and it's just heartbreaking... those gorgeous trees were like a part of the island itself! 
I can imagine how devastating it must've been for Darren Little and the team to see all that destruction. Replanting and restoring is definitely the way forward, but it's going to take time and effort, you know? 
The thing that really gets me is that these trees weren't just pretty to look at, they were also homes for so many creatures and a part of people's lives (especially dog owners!). Fingers crossed that Cornwall can bounce back from this, it's definitely not the same without those ancient woods 
Storm Goretti was like a ticking time bomb just waiting to unleash its fury on St Michael's Mount. I mean those 119 trees were not just any ordinary trees they're historic landmarks and now they're GONE 
. It's like the island has been left with a gaping wound that can never be fully healed. Those gardeners must've felt like they were walking around a war zone trying to clear all those branches 
. I do hope St Michael's Mount comes back even stronger than before, but for now it's just a sad reminder of the power of nature and the importance of conservation 
And it gets worse - 3.2 million more expected in the UK this year due to climate change 
. The thing is, these ancient woods are NOT just pretty faces... they're habitats for so many species & a major part of our ecosystem. Rebuilding's gonna take some serious time & effort 
, but I'm all for it! 
Let's hope we can get some new ideas flowing like Polly Bolitho said 
. By the way, did you know that tree planting can offset 1 tonne of CO2? 
what's the point of preserving nature if we just gonna destroy it? 
I mean, I know Cornwall is beautiful and all, but can't we find a way to coexist with Mother Nature instead of hurting her? 
. As a nature lover myself, it's hard not to feel this way. These ancient trees aren't just any ordinary trees - they're like family to the community, especially for dog owners who love taking their furry friends on daily walks around them 
. But at the same time, we gotta face the facts: climate change is real, and storms like Goretti are becoming more frequent 
.
. I mean, you can just look at that diagram of St Michael's Mount before and after... 
. It's heartbreaking to see those beautiful trees go, not just for their beauty, but also for the memories they hold for people 
.
, and now it's just... gone 
. It's heartbreaking that so many trees got lost, especially those special ones that people love to take their dogs on walks with 
. Replanting and restoring those landscapes can be done, it just takes time and effort 
. Fingers crossed for Cornwall 
!
! 80% of the foliage gone? That's like losing a big chunk of your soul, fam 
Can't we just chill for a sec? 
Climate change is real, folks 
We gotta take care of our planet, or else we'll be saying goodbye to all these beautiful trees 
. Praying they can replant and restore in time 
Storms like Goretti are really gonna hit places with beautiful history & nature... you see, St Michaels Mount has been there for ages, and those 119 trees weren't just any trees - they were part of the island's identity 
. Losing those trees isn't just an environmental loss, it's also about the memories people make with their pets or families 
. Fingers crossed that Cornwall can bounce back & still keep its natural beauty 
. climate change is for real and were gonna have to deal with it 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the destruction caused by Storm Goretti on St Michael's Mount. Those 119 trees were like giants standing there for decades, and now they're all gone... it's heartbreaking. The thought of those dogs who relied on their daily walks under those trees is just devastating 
anyway, hope they get everything replanted and restored soon - it looks like a war zone over there 
