Dear all,

Many of you will have seen the sign at the end of Blakes Walk notifying of the closure from Feb 12 to March 1 for 'tree management' work.

East Sussex County Council sent out the following two documents regarding what this will involve (copy and paste links into your browser):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IhWo2UVAS1EHNJ76nkKX_i0Lgw0b01YR/view 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/166fFd4AiUuISEWkM9abBIoz3YpfME1CW/view

I subsequently approached Friends of Lewes seeking clarification and asking a number of questions. Their response is viewable here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hMF5z9JdeYVIg5fH3im-AOwWNPo0y7v7/view

And ESCC has now released an update, which is pasted below. I would be interested to know people's thoughts at fraseraddecott@yahoo.co.uk Thanks 

Blakes Walk upcoming tree management
 
This is an update to inform you that the tree work intended for Blakes Walk is to occur between the 12th of February and the 1st of March. RW Green Ltd will be carrying out the work on behalf of ESCC and River Oak Homes. This work is being carried out to bring all of the trees into a size, shape and condition that will make it easier to maintain them in the long term and prolong the healthy life of the trees. It has been discussed and approved by the Blakes Walk Tree Specialist Group which contains members of the Trees Committee of Friends of Lewes. 

The reduction of the Poplars is to limit wind-sail movement and reduce the risk of damage to themselves and adjacent property. This will also provide more space for the development and management of the limes planted between them. With continued management the health and vitality of both the Poplars and the Limes can be increased so that both can be maintained long into the future. The intention is to retain both Poplars and Limes for as long as they remain healthy and safe.

The work to the trees on the east side of the avenue will take place now and the work to those on the west side will take place in winter 2024/25.

Work to the Poplars will be as follows: 

To reduce the upper crown to growth points where possible to the height of tallest part of the current River Oaks Development, which after inspection should be between 2-4 metres depending on the current height of the tree. Once the height has been achieved, the top whorls of branches will be hand pruned to a dome shape. The side branches extending up into the crown are to be hand pruned on the outer branches without thinning the internal canopy. Pruning cuts will be pointing inwards to stimulate growth in an inwards manner, with removal of major deadwood throughout the crown and pruning back basal stem growth. Each tree is to be uniform in height, the diameter of each tree’s crown will vary as to their individual shape.

Trees are to be accessed using a 35m MEWP (Cherry Picker), using hand pruning tools and battery chainsaws. Root plates are to be protected using black plastic roadway boards.

Works to the Limes will be as follows:

The young trees will be formatively pruned to shape. The semi mature trees are to be pruned all over by up to 1.2 to 2.0 metres to growth points, with the sides parallel to the development and the footpath being pruned slightly harder. Broken branches, badly pruned branches, deadwood and basal growth will be removed. Trees are to be accessed by a climbing arborist with hand pruning and pole pruning equipment. One dead Lime tree is to be removed and the stump ground out. There will be three replacement trees planted to keep the avenue theme in place.

Blakes Walk will be closed for the period that the works are undertaken as a safety precaution. A clearly marked diversion will be in place.