The Committee considered a report on proposed work to one Council-maintained Horse chestnut tree in St Mary’s Churchyard, which was subject to a Tree Protection Order (TPO).  The tree was shown as T11 on plan TPO 10/06 attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the tree was one of many protected in the Churchyard and maintained by the Council under a long-standing agreement with the Diocese.  It had previously been pollarded, the appropriate management for such trees being to re-pollard on a regular basis, normally every 3-5 years.  An inspection by the Council’s Tree Surveyor had identified some decay and cavities (also noted on previous surveys) and had concluded that re-pollarding was due and prudent. On 14 March 2024 an application had been received from the Tree Surveyor seeking consent for the re-pollarding of the Horse chestnut (application reference 240336). 

The report stated, for information only, that a crown reduction was proposed to the non-TPO Holm Oak on the north-east corner of the Church, back to previous pruning points.  This was in line with good tree management, particularly given the fungal fruiting bodies present and increasing decay.

A site notice had been attached to the Horse chestnut tree on 12 April 2024 and would be left for the required 21-day period. It was reported at the meeting that no public comments had been received so far but the consultation period finished on 3 May 2024.

The report concluded that the works proposed were necessary in order to appropriately manage the tree.  Subject to no substantive objections or comments being received as a result of the public notice, it was recommended that the works be approved.

Resolved –

That the proposed tree works to the Horse chestnut tree be approved, subject to no substantive objections being received within the consultation period.