Thatch Cottage, 4 High Street, Dorchester-on-thames, Wallingford, OX10 7JT Data via plota.co.uk

Proposal

Tree ref: T02 - mature common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Location: the tree is situated 2-2.5m from the north east gable end of the house, as indicated on the attached plan. Proposed works: section-fell the Ash tree to ground level, safely dismantle and remove all woody debris, brash and arisings from the site. Justification: the tree is infected with advanced Ash Dieback with the canopy exhibiting significant thinning, leaf loss and deadwood. Due to the progressive and destructive nature of the disease, the structural integrity of the timber is compromised. Ash wood can become brittle when infected and a number of the branches overhang and are in falling distance of the grade 2 listed thatched house and garden as well as the historic grave sites and popular foot routes surrounding Grade 1 listed Dorchester Abbey. I am concerned that the tree creates an unacceptable and escalating health and safety hazard. Remedial pruning, deadwooding or reduction will not halt the trees decline or mitigate the long-term risk. Complete removal is the only viable and sustainable option. The removal of the tree will have a negligible long-term impact on the visual amenity of the conversation area. To further mitigate the loss of canopy cover and to support local bIodiversity I propose to plant one replacement tree of native species resilient to the local climate, in the next available planting window. I've tried to indicate dead/overhanging branches in photos attached by highlighting in red. I hope it helps. Thank you. Data via plota.co.uk