Church Cottage Church Lane Charlton On Otmoor OX5 2UA Data via plota.co.uk

Proposal

There are 4 trees in the garden at Church Cottage, a Grade 2 Listed thatched property in a conservation area. One (OAK on plan) is an oak, in good condition and protected by a TPO. No works are required. We have consulted a professional arborist, who has identified the remaining 3 trees (T1, T2, T3) as North American Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). They are native to eastern and central USA and all parts are highly toxic to humans, dogs and horses (Ref: BlackLocust.pdf, attached) and Ref: https://www.poison.org/articles/are-black-locust-trees-toxic-221. Planned works: (1) Removal of T1 (nearest to house). (2) Thinning and maintenance of T2 and T3, and guidance on potential future removal and replacement with UK-native species. Justification for works to T1 (see attached photos): (1) The tree is in poor condition and presents a risk to the property, church wall and churchyard. The tree leans towards Church Cottage and its canopy extends over part of the property. Falling leaves, blossom and seeds are a risk to the integrity of the thatch. (2) The non-native nature of the tree means that it has not adapted well to the UK climate, branches fall regularly from it (and T2 & T3) in medium-high winds into both the garden of Church Cottage and into the graveyard. (3) The tree is clogged with ivy, which further impacts its stability and growth. (4) The proximity of T1 to T2 means that the canopy of T2 is unbalanced. Removal of T1 would, at least, enable T2 to become more balanced. (5) Overhead power cables to neighbouring properties pass through the branches of T1 (and T2). Neighbours report that, prior to works to strengthen the cable, there have been incidents of the cable being brought down by movement of the tree and branches. (6) The toxicity of the tree, blossom, seeds etc presents a risk both to those in the garden at Church Cottage, or visiting the churchyard were (say) a small child to be injured by the spikes on its branches, or to ingest seeds. (7) The churchyard is a public space and hence the overhang represents something that needs to be taken into consideration along with the points above. The churchyard is central to the village, graves are well maintained and it's visited regularly. Due to the density of the trees along the church wall we would ask the tree officer's advice on replacement. The existing density has prevented T1 and T2 from developing properly and, in an ideal scenario, we'd perhaps propose replacing both T1 and T2 with a single semi-mature native variety that would grow to similar height and canopy - for example a "Resista" Elm, Field Maple etc. Data via plota.co.uk