Cut back one mature lime tree to its main branches and reduce the height and spread of another.

Official description

T003 - Mature lime: Pollard to the main crown break, retaining the main stem and permanent primary scaffold framework. Thereafter manage as a cyclical pollard, with re-pollarding anticipated approximately every seven years. The works are requested following a ground-based assessment and subsequent climbing inspection. The aerial inspection identified multiple cavities within load-bearing primary branches supporting substantial upright stems. Three cavities were reported to extend beyond the diameter of the affected branch when investigated using an eight-inch probe. Further cavities and significant historic pruning wounds with associated decay were also recorded. The affected crown is exposed to wind and overhangs St Marychurch Road, the unsheltered Hatfield Cross bus stop and parts of Lynway Court. The inspecting arborist considered ordinary crown reduction but concluded that it would not sufficiently address the defects distributed through the primary crown. Pollarding is therefore proposed as a tree-retention and risk-management measure, rather than removal. T004 - Mature lime: Crown reduce from approximately 30 metres to 28 metres in height and reduce radial spread from approximately 9 metres to 7.5 metres. Retain a natural flowing canopy outline and prune to suitable growth points. The T004 works are limited to crown reduction; pollarding is not proposed for this tree. T004 has previously been crown reduced and has responded with approximately 1-1.5 metres of regrowth. The proposed reduction continues this established management approach while retaining the tree's overall form and amenity contribution. Both trees will be retained. All works will be undertaken by a competent and appropriately insured arboricultural contractor in accordance with the approved specification and BS 3998:2010, subject to appropriate ecological and highway-safety controls.