70 Vassall Road London Lambeth SW9 6HY Data via plota.co.uk

Proposal

Felling and removal of a large, mature Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, located close to the house in the rear garden. The tree has a girth of approx. 2.9m (dia 92cm) and a height of 20m+. The tree is now covered in ivy. We have managed the tree by reducing its crown periodically (with permission) over the past 13 years, most recently in 2022. This strategy is no longer viable. We are advised that it is around 70 years old (much younger than the house, which dates from 1831), and thus is nearing the end of its lifetime. It is now showing signs of stress and is producing very large numbers of fast-growing suckers (many more than before), both around the base and further afield - including the front of the house and in neighbours' gardens. Given this situation we now require to fell the tree and remove the timber. This will involve treating the tree with herbicide (glyphosate) and grinding out the stump 2 weeks+ later. We would like to plant a smaller tree in this space, a bit further from the house - eg a buckthorn. However, this will depend on the conditions in the soil - it probably has too many roots and suckers for this to be successful in the short term. Data via plota.co.uk