Cheney Cottage 2 Chapel Lane Gaddesby Leicestershire LE7 4WB

Description

T1 Common Ash - Fell Location: The tree stands within the front/side garden of the property, close to the boundary with the public highway (see aerial sketch plan). Its canopy overhangs both the garden, pedestrian footway and the adjacent road. Proposed works: Fell the tree to ground level and grind out the stump. Reason for the works: The tree has been diagnosed with Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus / Chalara fraxinea). Identification was made in March 2025 and the condition has progressed significantly. Symptoms visible on the tree and documented in the attached photographs include: - Diamond-shaped lesions and cankers on the main stem and primary branches - Areas of dead, cracked and shedding bark - Cavities and decay pockets within the bark - Crown dieback with bare/dying branches visible against the foliage - Lichen growth associated with declining vigour - Brittle, dead wood beginning to break out within the crown The tree has already begun to shed branches. In September 2025 a substantial branch dropped into the garden landing across the path and lawn, and a further branch broke out and fell onto the public highway/footway alongside the boundary wall (photographs attached). Given the tree's proximity to a public road, pedestrian footway, neighbouring boundary wall, the dwelling and the garden which is in regular use, the risk of further sudden branch failure presents an unacceptable danger to people and property. Ash trees affected by dieback become progressively more brittle and unpredictable, and remedial pruning is no longer a safe or viable long-term option for this specimen. Replacement planting: We propose to plant one replacement native tree of an appropriate non-Fraxinus species (for example Quercus robur (English Oak), Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan) or Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)) of 8?10cm girth feathered/standard stock, in a suitable position within the garden away from