The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the proposed felling of one Mulberry tree at 44 Fircroft Close (Tree T1 of Tree Protection Order (TPO) 100/01).  A copy of the TPO plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1, and photographs of the tree were attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that the proposal was to fell the mature Mulberry tree located to the front of the property, due to recent and historical major branch failure leaving the tree unsafe given its location adjacent to a public path.  Officers had visited the tree on a number of occasions, following branch failure in October 2017 and more recently in June 2019.  The structural integrity of the remaining tree was now highly questionable as a result of the historical branch loss and weight of the remaining main limbs leaving them liable to failure.  The extensive reduction work that would be required to address the hazard now presented by the tree would result in the tree’s amenity value being affected to the point that it would no longer be worthy of inclusion in the TPO.

The report concluded that the proposed felling was considered a reasonable course of action given the historic branch failure and unacceptable risk the tree now presented, and therefore recommended that it be approved.  If agreed, a replacement planting condition would be attached to the approval for a replacement tree in the same location.

Resolved –    That the proposed felling be approved.