Trees removed in Port Sunlight due to "health and safety"

Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) began the process of removing the Lombardy Poplar’s along the road edge of the field on the corner of Church Drive and The Causeway.

The Trust has said to removal is due to the trees being in a “poor condition” and are set to be replaced.

A spokesperson for PSVT told the Globe: “In recent years, their condition has deteriorated to the point where they are now a significant risk to the health and safety of our residents and visitors.

“This was confirmed by survey work, the tree officer at Wirral Council and the loss of major limbs during the winter.

Image: Ian Fairbrother

“This pro-active approach will reduce the risk of harm to the public by falling in an uncontrolled way in such a busy area.”

The area is currently being surveyed each morning for nesting birds. If any tree is found to have an active nest the trust has said it will not be removed until the nest is no longer used.

The Trust added: “The loss of any tree is a sad occasion, but in this case necessary to keep us all safe and to allow the room to grow something new.

“The planting of a new generation of trees will begin in the winter of 2022-23 by the landscape team and are likely to include some beautiful long-lived Oak and Beech and a collection of spring flowering trees.

“By increasing the diversity of species, we can massively increase the amount of wildlife supported and reduce the risks posed by both climate change and new diseases.

Image: Ian Fairbrother

“The replacement trees will also have a variety of lifespans, varying from 50 years to 350 years, so future replanting can be staggered over decades and centuries rather than en masse.

“With any tree work, safety and thinking in the long term has to take precedence over the short-term impact.

“I'm sure in the years to come we will all enjoy the sight of the new trees growing and flourishing.”