We recently underwent some extensive work on the Meadows which involved a safety inspection of a line of poplars along the northern boundary of Bishops Meadow.
One tree that should never be pollarded is Poplar which had been twice done to the older trees and this is why the Trust needed to do something.
The purpose of a tree safety inspection is to determine whether a tree poses an unreasonable risk to people or property. Trees are not usually hazardous simply because of their size. But trees may be predisposed to failure as a result of recognisable hazardous features including, for example, root damage, cracks or cavities in the trunk, the presence of fungal fruiting bodies which may indicate internal decay, weak forks, break-out cavities and abrupt bends in branches.
Unfortunately for the line of trees that were inspected, if they were reduced to 6m we would only be continuing and perpetuating the problem for the future with more expense and exposing the Trust and the public to possible future risk and it will also give a better chance for the hawthorns to get more light and water which the Trust has planted over the years.
We realise that it is sad to fell and lose trees but we want to reassure all those that enjoy and use the meadow that the reasons are carefully thought through.
To be able to view the full report that the work was based on please click on the link below - you will note that in point 3.3, it was felt that the sooner the work was carried out, the better.
