Two prominent trees in Worcester's Gheluvelt Park are to be removed to protect the safety of the park's visitors.
The large cedar by the Pump House has recently lost one of its biggest branches due to heavy water logging – a common issue with this species of tree. As a result, the cedar's crown is not able to provide enough energy to sustain the rest of the tree, creating a danger of more branches falling and potentially harming passers-by. The area where the remaining largest branch joins the trunk is showing signs of decay. If this branch falls from the tree it could potentially take a significant part of the trunk with it.
The second tree is the willow by the bandstand. This has been infected by a fungal pathogen that is making it structurally unsound and at risk of collapse.
The work is scheduled to take place at the end of August. The trunks of both trees will be left in place to provide a habitat for a huge variety of life including insects, birds, bats and fungi.
Nick McGowan, the City Council's Tree and Conservation Officer, said: "It is always heart-breaking to have to remove well-established and much-loved trees, but sadly these two are now coming to the ends of their lives.
"The good news is that the trees will continue to make a contribution to the natural habitat in Gheluvelt Park because the trunks will be left there to become homes to insects, mosses, birds and other wildlife."
Later in the year, there will also be new trees planted in the park.
