Ashford Borough Council has a responsibility to manage trees on council owned land, such as parks and open spaces.

The protection of trees plays an important role in conserving the natural environment and makes a significant contribution to the beauty of the borough.

Some lime trees have been pollarded in the small park on the corner of Vicarage Lane and Station Road, called Vicarage Field as part of regular management programme

Pollarding is a traditional way of maintaining lime trees in an urban environment and in fact prolongs the life of the tree.

The trees have been pollarded previously and have now reached the point at which they need re-pollarding before the loadings on the pollard heads become too great.

If the pollards are not re-pollarded there is a danger that the pollard heads may be seriously damaged by large branches splitting away threatening the long term viability of the pollards.

With regular treatment of this kind the crowns of the limes will regenerate in future years, ensuring the health of the trees is sustained and public safety is maintained.

Media Release 0264/08

07/10/2008