Crown reduction and general pruning works are proposed for a bay tree, an apple tree and a hazel tree situated within a conservation area to manage their size and improve light levels.

Full Proposal

T1 Large Bay (Laurus nobilis) Proposed Works: Reduce the height by approximately 2.5 metres to a finished height of approximately 4.5 metres. Reduce the lateral spread by up to 1.5 metres on all aspects to achieve a balanced, rounded crown with a finished spread of approximately 3.0 metres. Remove minor deadwood and prune in accordance with the tree's natural form and BS3998:2010. Arboricultural Justification: The Bay has become disproportionately large for its location and is growing close to the dwelling. Its current size causes excessive shading to neighbouring windows and external amenity areas, reducing natural daylight within the property. The proposed reduction will restore the tree to a size appropriate for its confined setting, improve light penetration and establish a manageable framework for future cyclical maintenance. The tree's visual amenity will be retained while reducing future encroachment onto the building. T2 Mature Apple (Malus spp.) Proposed Works: Reduce the crown by 2.0 metres on all aspects to achieve a finished height and crown spread of approximately 3.0 metres. Remove major deadwood exceeding 25 mm in diameter, together with crossing, rubbing and weakly attached branches. Selectively thin congested internal growth to improve light penetration and airflow, in accordance with BS3998:2010. Arboricultural Justification: The Apple has developed an elongated crown with extended lateral growth encroaching over the lawn and surrounding garden. The dense canopy restricts sunlight and airflow, while deadwood and crossing branches reduce crown quality. The works represent routine cyclical management, encouraging healthy new fruiting wood, reducing end weight on extended limbs, improving crown structure and increasing light penetration without adversely affecting the tree's long-term health or amenity value. T3 Large Hazel (Corylus avellana) Proposed Works: Reduce the crown by approximately 3.0 metres to a finished height of approximately 3.0 metres. Reduce the lateral spread by up to 2.0 metres to a finished spread of approximately 2.0 metres. Retain an effective rear privacy screen while removing excessive end weight and restoring a balanced crown structure. All works to comply with BS3998:2010. Arboricultural Justification: The Hazel has become excessively broad and dense for its location, causing significant shading to the rear garden and neighbouring property. Extended lateral limbs have become increasingly end-weighted, increasing mechanical loading on the primary unions and the potential for branch failure. The reduction will improve light penetration and reduce lever-arm forces on the principal scaffold branches. A sufficient framework and screening canopy will be retained to preserve privacy. The works constitute appropriate cyclical management, improving the tree's long-term structural condition while maintaining its amenity value (Charlotteville and Warren Road Conservation Area).