Council response

The trees at this location were last surveyed by an independent professional in 2018 where there was no recommendation for any works to be undertaken.

Since this survey further calls for service have been made where basic tree inspections have been undertaken by a Locality Steward where again, there is no assessment that there any specific concerns with the overall safety of these trees that would require any emergency or immediate action though some non-urgent dead wood removal has been submitted and will take place when resources and finance allow.

In direct response to this petition we had arranged for an inspection of these trees to be made by a Locality Steward on 27th September who has had additional training from the Arboricultural Association and has found the following;

Species Identified
Ash, Alder, Silver Birch, Horse Chestnut, Whitebeam and various shrubs such as Laurel.

Inspection
Starting from behind Thirsk Avenue working up to Haldon Way, Mixture of young Ash trees roughly 15-20 meters high still in leaf. During visual inspection from the ground looking up no defects detected, no visual evidence of calara, some small deadwood noted and a couple of larger deadwood limbs detected on Ash tree (deadwood facing Roman Road side and not the property side),Some of the younger Ash trees have ‘U shaped’ unions (considered stronger than a ‘V shape’ union usually). Very minimal Ivy noted during inspection only effecting 15% of trees in the area on a whole.

Horse Chestnut trees not exceeding 12-15 meters in height, during visual ground level inspection no defects detected noted previous epicormic growth on some stems, most of the horse chestnut trees are on/closest to the roadside.

Whitebeams, Silver Birch and Alder trees are on/closest to the carriageway side of the area, during visual inspection at ground level no defects detected. (These trees are much smaller that the ash and Horse chestnut trees).

Outcome

All trees inspected every 5 years by qualified arborists with MSc.Arb, A.Dip.Arb and M.Arbor.A qualifications.

If any works were to be carried out under maintenance I would suggest removing of the very young self-seeded ash trees closest to the fence line, and removal of the deadwood that is closest to the carriageway side on the Ash trees.

It is on this basis that we do not believe that any works are required to the trees at this location. We accept that trees are large but this does not mean that they are dangerous. To consider any works on these trees there would need to be present an indication that there was a legitimate need to address any ill health or imminent danger presented other than what can be reasonably expected.