Item 20, Page 146

Tree Preservation Order 5007/2014/MS

The Tithe Barn, The Street,

Detling  ME14 3JU

Further Information

The following representation has been received from Ben Tanton of Tantons Tree Surgeons Ltd.

“This is the findings of the sycamore which I've sent to [the tree owner],the tree does have severe basal decay and to be honest will fail due to decay in the roots at some stage in the near future…:

Following my visit to your property and after looking at the sycamore near the rear boundary of your property it is with regret I have found the tree at some stage many years ago had another stem right at the base , this has now decayed away and was hidden by a compost heap which has recently been exposed, the result is now quite a large tree and apart from a little thin in the crown it appears in good health but with the decay in the base of the trunk which goes into the tree and down into the ground approximately 18 inches it is with regret I feel the recommendation is to remove it , especially as it is within range of the road and main church entrance.”

A further site visit was undertaken by the Landscape Officers on 24 February 2015. Visual inspection of the base of the tree, which is now largely accessible following the removal of garden rubbish, revealed the decaying remains of a second stem as described. Inspection with the aid of a metal probe and a hammer revealed that whilst the cut stem has almost decayed away completely, the decay is almost exclusively confined to the removed stem.

The adjacent stem and buttress roots only exhibit superficial decay with sound wood beneath. There is no evidence to suggest that the decay has advanced beyond this point. Buttress root development of the remaining stem appears sound and healthy.

The additional and observable evidence does not demonstrate that the tree is in a condition that makes it inappropriate to confirm the TPO.

RECOMMENDATION

My recommendation remains unchanged.

Confirm Tree Preservation Order No. 5007/2014/MS without modification