Newbury Town Council to carry out lime tree pollarding in Victoria Park in January 2025

The town council will be carrying out tree pollarding in Victoria Park to encourage healthy regrowth of the park’s lime trees.

Pollarding is a tree management technique that involves pruning the upper branches in order to shape trees, control their size, and encourage the growth of new, healthy branches.

Newbury Town Council has said it is doing this to improve the safety of park users, reduce the risk of damage during storms, and ensure that the trees continue to thrive in their natural environment.

Council leader Gary Norman said: “This method encourages new growth and extends the lifespan of the trees, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the park’s green spaces.

“Our goal is to balance safety, sustainability, and the beauty of the trees in Victoria Park. Pollarding is a time-tested technique that allows us to preserve the health and vitality of our trees for many years to come.”

The work, which is set to be carried out in January next year, will see certain sections of the park being temporarily cordoned off for the safety of park visitors and contractors.

Signage will be posted, and the town council has asked that visitors respect the temporary barriers during this time.

The council’s parks and open space supervisor James Heasman said: “We understand that tree maintenance can sometimes cause temporary inconvenience, but this work is crucial for the long-term health of the trees.

“Local residents may remember that we undertook similar works 10 years ago, and it may be a shock at first, but trees soon generate new growth.

“If you have questions or concerns about the project, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at james.heasman@newbury.gov.uk”