Residents 'angry' as large tree gets protection

[Dave]

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Residents have said they feel "extremely angry" after a council voted unanimously to protect a controversial oak tree.

Winchester City Council received an intention to fell the more than 40-year-old tree from neighbours who raised concerns that it could damage their properties.

Speaking at a council planning meeting, the local authority's tree officer John Bartlett said there was "no evidence of actual damage being caused".

The council approved a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), which legally protects it from damage or destruction.

Mr Bartlett said it contributed meaningfully to local biodiversity and visual amenity, adding that its ecological and landscape value outweighed the reported nuisance issues.

The oak, which is situated in a conservation area, is located in the garden of a home on Canon Street, close to Winchester Cathedral.

Some of the properties on the road date back to the 17th Century and Ms Steel said there was evidence of "cracks in garden walls".

At least nine residents raised concerns about the tree's proximity and size after they said it had grown by 6ft (1.8m) in the last year.

They said that the height and mass of the tree combined with unpredictable weather patterns could lead to serious damage to properties or injury of residents.

They argued that any sustainable management plan would require pruning on a five-year cycle, which is seen as an unfair and impractical burden on residents.

The objectors added that the tree, which they claim blocks light and sheds a substantial amount of leaves and debris.

Council said it is willing to accept further reductions to previous cut points on a 5–10 year cycle to improve light penetration to surrounding properties.

I don't agree with this council decision. I can see that the tree does block out light, I don't like the idea of cutting tree's down but there is no reason they can't pollard the tree to help residents.

For those that don't know...

Pollarding trees is a form of pruning where the upper branches are removed, encouraging a dense head of new growth from the remaining stubs. This technique is used to manage tree size, particularly in urban areas where trees might otherwise grow too large for their space.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
What it is:
Pollarding involves cutting back the main branches of a tree to a height above ground, typically six feet or more.
Why it's done:
Size control: Pollarding helps keep trees from outgrowing their allocated space, especially in streets where they might interfere with wires or light fixtures.
Safety: It can reduce the risk of branches falling and causing damage or injury, especially on trees near buildings or roads.
Health and longevity: Removing older branches can improve the tree's health and potentially extend its lifespan by redirecting resources to new growth.
Aesthetics: Pollarded trees can have a distinctive, ornamental appearance with a dense crown of new growth.
How it's done:
Timing: Pollarding is often done in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant, allowing for a robust flush of new growth the following season.
Procedure: The central leader is cut, followed by the main branches, leaving stubs from which new shoots will emerge.
Species:
Certain tree species respond well to pollarding, including oak, lime, ash, and maple.