A PROGRAMME of tree maintenance is set to take place in Winyates in the new year.
Throughout January, Redditch Borough Council’s contractors, Swiftwell, will be working in Kinnersley Close, Lingen Close, Mordiford Close, Fownhope Close, Dolben Lane, and Winforton Close.
The work will involve pruning back away from buildings, crown lifting lower branches and crown thinning to allow more light into the affected properties.
A number of trees will also need to be felled, predominantly Ash trees, which are suffering from or showing symptoms of Ash Dieback, a disease which is spreading among UK Ash trees.
The only option for the diseased trees is removal.
Other removals will be due to the tree being in decline or dead. Any trees which are removed will be replanted with another, more suitable species at a later date.
The council says that as general maintenance work is ideally carried out in the autumn/winter period whilst the trees are in dormancy and have no leaves, it can sometimes appear quite harsh.
However it says that undertaking the work at this time of the year minimises the impact on the wildlife habitat the trees offer, especially nesting birds.
Portfolio Holder for environmental services, Councillor Aled Evans, said: “This important work may initially appear brutal but come spring we, and the local wildlife, will begin to see the benefits of the pruning and tree removal.
“Tree removal is always a last resort for us, but unfortunately many of the Ash trees in this area are infected with Ash Dieback, a particularly dreadful tree disease.
“To stop Ash Dieback spreading to other healthy trees, we need to act now.
“Not only will the removal work help stop the spread of Ash Dieback, but it will also protect the safety of residents as diseased or dead trees can be very hazardous, particularly during storms or strong winds. To offset the removal of these trees we will be planting new trees.”
The works will begin in Kinnersley Close from January 3 and are expected to end in Winforton Close by January 27, subject to weather conditions.
