By Joel Adams For Mailonline
Published: 12:40 BST, 24 May 2019 | Updated: 12:48 BST, 24 May 2019
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Blundering builders chopped down one of the first ever giant redwood trees (shown) to be planted in Britain more than 170 years ago
Builders are being prosecuted for chopping down one of Britain's first ever giant redwood trees to make way for new houses.
Workmen claimed they felled the 176-year-old tree 'by mistake' at a new development site, but environmental officials launched an investigation into the felling.
The magnificent 90ft-tall tree was brought from North America and was one of 70 allegedly chopped down without permission to make way for a new housing development.
Documents show the giant redwood was planted in 1842 - around 10 years before the first redwood seeds are reported as having been brought to Britain from America.
It was planted at the Penllergare Estate, Swansea by nature-loving owner John Dillwyn Llewelyn, who was a keen botanist who imported trees from all over the world.
And the mighty redwood grew 90ft high and five metres in circumference at the forest site in South Wales.
The tree was chopped down last month 'by mistake' by building firm Enzo's homes - who are developing 80 houses at the site next to the woods (shown)
But the tree was axed when builders from Enzo Homes chopped the tree in November last year and
