A former Church of England vicar from Suffolk is seeking £30,000 in compensation after workers from a neighbouring care home mistakenly cut down trees in his garden.

Philip Young, 72, said he returned home in May to find “three men with chainsaws” felling a 24ft blackthorn tree, which he described as his own “Sycamore Gap".

He told the Daily Mail: “It beggars belief that they came into our garden. They said it was a big mistake, but it does not feel like a mistake to us.”

The retired priest, formerly of St Thomas’ Church in Norwich, rejected an offer of £6,000 in compensation and landscaping work, insisting the claim reflects “the growing value being placed on nature".

He added: “It feels like we were violated and invaded, which we were.”

Young, a National Trust member and passionate environmentalist, said the tree had provided a habitat for birds and also gave him privacy from the care home next door.

Despite his anger, he hopes for reconciliation: “I want it to be resolved in a loving and peaceful way that brings satisfaction to both parties. It’s a shame because I loved my tree and I loved my neighbour.”

Cotman House, the nursing home involved, has apologised and said it is working with Mr Young to find “a fair resolution to this genuine mistake".