Walpole Park Trees Facing The Chop

Action needed over rotting trees

Ealing Council is holding a public meeting to discuss the future of two of the borough’s most iconic trees.

Experts were called in to examine the pair of Lebanese Cedars in Walpole Park, behind Pitzhanger Manor House, after the council’s Tree Service detected problems during routine monitoring work. The council is holding a public meeting at Pitzhanger Manor House at 7pm on Wednesday, 8 September to give residents the chance to find out more and comment on what should happen next.

Scanning the internal structure of the trees has shown one of the Cedars is almost entirely rotten, while the canopy of the other is also in a poor condition. The two Lime trees adjacent to the Cedars are also rapidly deteriorating and action will need to be taken over the next few months to prevent any of the trees from falling.

The trees are reaching the end of their lives. The council needs to decide whether to remove them completely now or just cut off all the major branches and leave part of the trunk until replanting takes place. The council is seeking residents’ views on what should be done and whether any salvaged wood should be put to some use, such as to create sculptures or benches.

Cabinet member for Customer and Community Services, Councillor Kamaljit Dhindsa, said: “We’ve carried out imaging to look at the internal structure and consulted independent tree surgeons, but sadly the evidence shows that the trees are now coming to the end of their natural lives. We clearly need to take action to ensure they don’t become a safety risk, but we’re keen to take residents’ wishes into account.”

The meeting is open to all members of the public – please register your interest in attending at pmgwp@ealing.gov.uk or by phoning 020 8825 9699.

Presentations will be given on the trees’ condition and heritage value by the council’s Tree Service and landscape architects.

September 1st, 2010