Cleobury Cottage, The Street IP24 1NH
There are 4 large trees in the rear, fully enclosed garden of Cleobury Cottage. 1. To leave the tall, well-proportioned, healthy whitebeam on the northern boundary of the property untouched; 2. To prune the healthy and vigorous Red Norway Maple which is on the NE boundary, close to an adjacent house, by 3m to contain its spread for the time being but retain a well-proportioned tree; 3. To remove the old, diseased, unproductive and previously badly-pruned apple tree to allow planting of 2 complementary apple trees and the unrestricted development of 2 young hazel trees in that area of the garden. 4. Remove the very large (height exceeds that of the house but is only 6.6m from it), old and diseased silver birch tree, for the following reasons: a) There is noticeable disease to the crown and top 2-3 metres of the tree - apricot-red (I'm told, bracket fungus) fruiting bodies appeared last autumn and cavities have formed the main trunk in that area (from the ground, daylight could be seen through the trunk); b) Several upper branches have fallen from the tree without warning and I am concerned that more will follow; c) Work last year to the flower border, adjacent to most of the rear elevation wall of the property revealed a tangle of live tree roots - some large - hard against the rear elevation wall, potentially prejudicing the structure and my ability to insure against damage. As previously mentioned, the tree is only 6.6m away from the rear elevation wall; d) The tree surgeon, mentioned above, has recently advised that, owing to the disease, corrective pruning would probably not stop the rot or allow for a properly balance tree as a result. 5) If Proposal 4 is granted, in addition to the apple trees mentioned above and the retention of the Whitebeam and Red Norway Maple, I would commit to replant on the east side of the garden 2 Rowan trees that are more suitable to a small cottage garden and would also benefit wildlife.