Churchyard trees to be felled

An application to remove trees from the grounds of St Nicholas’ Church has been submitted to Northumberland County Council.

Leon Savage, Trees and Woodlands Team Leader at Northumberland County Council, has requested the removal of six ash trees, one cedar, two sycamore and two Hawthorn. The application also asks that a beech which is in decline and recently lost a major limb is removed leaving a habitat pole.

Mr Savage explained why the felling is necessary: “The trees are in decline and some are suffering Ash dieback and the other what we believe to be Sirococcus blight. The tree removal is proposed to enable us to dismantle them safely to avoid damage to the object below, such as monuments, gravestones, walls and the general public. We will liaise with the church and look to plant replacement trees.”

Pictured: Some of the trees that will be felled.