Tiverton - St George

1796 – Known planting date for this yew.
1983 – Girth was recorded as 6′ 3½” (192cm) – Conservation Foundation.
February 2006 – The Mid Devon Gazette ran an article by Alex Valk about Tree Preservation Orders being placed on two landmark Tiverton trees, of which this is one. It is now protected from ‘harm and unnecessary pruning’. There were 23 objections to giving the tree this necessary protection, concerns including the poisonous seeds and the fact that the tree dominates the front of the building. The council arboreal consultant, Tony Lane, siad ‘the order would not prevent work on the trees in the event of safety concerns, or if the branches were physically encroaching on neighbouring buildings.’
October 2008: Girth of 6′ 10” (208cm) at 1m recorded by Barry Saich.
This is unusually slow growth. Is it possible that the tree planted in 1796 failed to thrive and was replaced at a later date?