Nature Features

Plane trees at Wellington Park

A stately line of historic London Plane trees in one of Somerset's award-winning parks is set to have a 'haircut' so that future generations can enjoy them.

The landmark trees, which are thought to be at least a century old, replaced a line of beech trees in Wellington’s original Beech Grove that were felled because they were considered unsafe around 1908 soon after the park was given to the town by the Fox Brothers.

The 23 planes were first cut back about 40 years ago but have not been pruned hard since the late 1960s and are now in need of another good short back and sides to keep them in good condition.

Once a regime of pollarding has begun, the trees need to be cut back annually.

The park was given by the Fox Brothers

Many of the magnificent Wellington trees – now standing around 60ft high - have cavities at ground level. A combination of the cavities and height / weight of the crown renders the trees liable to breakage and are therefore unsafe.

Taunton Deane Borough Council's Arboricultural Department will start the work from the end of January, where the trees will be cut back to about seven to eight metres. The trees will then leaf in late Spring.

"As the trees were planted around the same time as the park's construction, they are an extremely important landmark, and are of high historical and amenity importance," said councillor Mel Mullins.

"By carrying out this work, the trees' life expectancy will be far greater than if left."