Tree work in East Cowes park

Published: 24 June 2022

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Later this year four new trees of the same species will be planted to replace the two that will be lost. The Isle of Wight Council has been doing work to trees in many locations around the Island including public parks and roadsides, to keep them safe for the future. As well as cutting back or removing trees that might pose a hazard in the future, new trees have recently been planted by contractors and volunteers in locations including Appley Park and Big Meade.

Six trees, including the Platinum Jubilee Tree, have already been planted in the nearby Jubilee Recreation Ground, East Cowes, this year. Trees at Victoria Grove recreation ground are now due for some work. This will include work to the roadside holm oaks that form the tree-lined avenue where the park meets Victoria Grove.

Lee Matthews, the council's public spaces manager, said: "I know how important the holm oaks are to the streetscape in East Cowes, and that is why we are only doing the minimum safety work necessary. "Because this work needs doing urgently, we're not going to wait until winter. "This means that we will be doing a full check for nesting birds and other protected species such as bats and squirrels. "If it turns out there are protected species that might be adversely affected, of course we will delay the work. "Once this urgent work is finished there will be other work to trees in the park later on in the year and early next year. "The two trees taken down in Victoria Grove will be replaced later in the season with two trees planted for each one removed. "The overall aims of our programme of tree works and inspections across the Island are to ensure that we have a safe and sustainable tree stock, and to support the council's climate and environment strategy. "We are planting new trees and managing the ones we already have, for a sustainable future and for the enjoyment of generations to come."