More money needed to tackle unsafe trees

Extra funds are needed to make safe trees in Bingham that pose a potential risk to public and property.

The town council, which carried out its annual inspection of trees on council land, found it would have to spend more than its total budget of £2,500 to complete the work.

The survey cost £450 and the repairs have been estimated at £5,000.

The recreational and cemetery committee could ask the policy and resour-ces committee for extra money.

The report found that a leaning dead ash, which was used by children to swing from, was a high risk and needed felling.

Around a dozen trees were deemed to be medium risk, including several that needed to be felled — two elm, two deodara, an oak and a sycamore. Other trees required minor repairs.

The council considered spending its entire budget to repair trees that were high or medium risk.

Mr John Stockwood said the authority receives requests from residents throughout the year to chop down trees.

“We may have further cases throughout the year when major tree work might have to occur because of storms,” he said.

The council had no specific programme for replacing felled trees, but it would support biodiversity. It had planted new trees at Wallenfels, he said.

Mr George Davidson said: “Some trees are more of a risk than others in terms of possible damage to people or property.”

Mayor Mrs Tracey Kerry thought it was the council’s responsibility to ensure the trees were safe.