Music legend Sir Paul McCartney has been instructed to plant a new tree in his garden following a dispute with a neighbour at his residence in St John's Wood, London. The Beatles icon, 83, had submitted an application late last year to remove two sycamore trees from his £10 million townhouse, arguing they were in decline and that their removal would allow more space for a hornbeam to thrive.
However, his neighbour Reinhold Meinen, a conservative activist and investor who purchased the adjacent property for £14.4 million in 2024, raised objections. Meinen expressed suspicion about whether the trees were genuinely diseased, stating in a letter to the council: "As we spoke on the telephone, I am suspicious if those trees are fatally ill. Please note my objection and keep me up to date."
In response, McCartney amended his plans, proposing to cut back one sycamore by 1.5 metres and fell the other. Tracy Darke, director of town planning and building control at Westminster City Council, approved the works but suggested planting an Acer davidii (Père David's maple tree) as a replacement. She noted: "The City Council raises no objections to the following works to trees within the above Conservation Area. It would be appreciated if you would consider planting a replacement tree. You may wish to consider Acer davidii." The specification was amended on 3 February 2026.
This is not the first tree-related issue for McCartney. He was previously required to fell a diseased Catalpa tree in his back garden after representatives reported fungal decay and selective delignification at its base. The Catalpa, or Indian Bean Tree, is popular in UK gardens but thrives best in sheltered conditions. Additionally, McCartney lodged plans earlier this year for work on a lime, holm oak, Catalpa, birch, hornbeam, and sycamore, which were approved.
The trees in McCartney's garden lie within a conservation area, requiring council permission for any alterations. A local resident noted: "A lot of trees here are protected because it's a conservation area where development is carefully controlled. It has been difficult to get planning consent to even prune trees in the past." In 2019, McCartney was in a dispute with the council over cutting back a birch, hornbeam, and two sycamores due to insufficient light in his back garden, but the application was withdrawn after officials cited a lack of detail.
McCartney purchased the three-storey home for £40,000 in 1965 and moved in the following year after installing a large gate and intercom. The property served as a base for The Beatles before and after recordings at nearby Abbey Road Studios.
