Hi All
Susanna Pressel has asked me to circulate the following reply she has received regarding the three cherry trees near the east gate, that are due to be felled as part of the Thames Water pipeline replacement works. You can read the arboricultural report here.
Good morning Cllr Pressel,
I attended a site meeting 03/01/23 hosted by Thames Water to discuss the proposed installation of a new pipe and its potential impact on the trees near the bridge. The cherries on the west side and the willows on the east side are owned and maintained by Oxford City Council. Neither is located within a Conservation Area or subject to any Preservation Orders.
The possibility of removing one, two, or all the cherries was raised at the meeting to facilitate site access and the construction of a temporary compound. Unfortunately, the cherries are nearing the end of their lifespan and exhibit signs of bacterial canker disease, such as thin crowns, deadwood, and trunk and branch lesions. Given their limited life expectancy and condition, it would be difficult to justify a Preservation Order to protect them from removal. Additionally, Thames Water qualifies as a statutory undertaker under section 14(3)(a) of The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012, granting them an exception to the usual planning requirements for tree removal for the maintenance of their utilities.
Thames Water at the time of my site meeting with them were sensitive to the high amenity of the trees at this location and the need to ensure continual, good quality tree cover in the area. They gave verbal assurances that once the work was completed, there would be a replanting scheme implemented to mitigate the loss of the cherries and to maintain or increase tree canopy cover in the green area adjacent to the bridge.
The suggestion that the trees could be transplanted to the allotment site may not be feasible due to the size of the trees and the equipment needed to undertake the removal of a large enough rooting area to ensure a good chance of their survival, and the costs would be prohibitive for trees that are coming to the end of their lifespan. However, if it could be done it would be an interesting exercise and I’m interested to hear Thames Water’s response to the idea.
Kr,
Jane Rackley TechArborA
Assistant Tree Officer | Planning & Regulatory Services
Oxford City Council