The case for regular tree maintenance at Great Stony Park
Why do trees need to be maintained?
There are many reasons why trees might need pruning. These reasons could include
- Improving the structure of the tree
- To remove dangerous or defective branches or entire trees
- The reduction of shading
- The reduction of wind loading
- To provide clearance between the tree and a structure .
At Great Stony Park we have many large mature trees which is a big part of the appeal of living here. They enhance the whole site, particularly around the green where most of the large trees are sited. However, this poses a dilemma because as the trees have got older, they do of course grow larger, particularly the three oaks, the sequoia and the ash. Being sited next to the road, they suffer from a lack of water, particularly the sequoia which can be evidenced by the browning of the needles on the side next to the road.
Some of the trees planted by Taylor Woodrow who developed the site from a school to housing in 1998 have now reached the stage where they are growing quite large and are sited relatively close to a building. In essence, they were the wrong tree planted in the wrong place, but we have to live with that. One of the ways of curtailing their growth is to crown reduce the tree which involves cutting back the entire canopy into a suitable shape and size. If we don’t do that, then we run the risk of ending up in the situation as we did early this year when the large cedar tree had to be removed from outside no 45 as its roots were damaging the house.
There are other trees within GSP on the borders that also need similar work. Additionally, as part of their lifespan, all trees will have branches die off and if not maintained regularly, particularly some of the larger trees, very large branches can be at risk of dropping off and hitting vehicles, houses or in the worst scenario, people! Additionally, some of the fruit trees need pruning as they have become ‘overgrown’ with branches crossing which hinders the production of fruit and can make sections of the tree liable to break off, particularly when heavy with fruit.
All trees within Great Stony Park, including those in private gardens, are covered by the conservation area rule whereby you need prior permission from Epping Forest district Council to do any work on any of the trees. Tap here to view the EFDC website showing the boundary of the conservation area in realtion to Great Stony Park.
The end.