PCC Church of St.Michael and All Angels, Chaffcombe

St Michaels Church Knapps Lane Chaffcombe Chard Somerset TA20 4BJ

Notification of intent to Fell No. 1 Tree and Carry out Tree Surgery Works to No. 2 Trees within a Conservation Area. T1 - Cedar of Lebanon - Remove the large eastern scaffold limb exhibiting displacement and a developing crack at its union with the main stem. Restrict pedestrian access beneath the affected limb until works have been completed where practicable. Following removal of the eastern limb, undertake a substantial retrenchment reduction throughout the remaining crown. Reduce overall crown height by approximately 8-10m and lateral spread by approximately 4-6m, where suitable pruning points allow and with application of arboricultural judgement. Crown height reduction pruning cuts should generally not exceed 300mm diameter. Lateral spread reduction pruning cuts should generally not exceed 200mm diameter. Retain a compact crown framework and as much viable foliage as practicable. Reduce end-weight and wind loading on retained scaffold limbs whilst maintaining a broadly natural form and the tree's contribution to the churchyard landscape. Final aim should be to achieve a residual crown/stem bias to the south following completion works T2 - Monterey Pine - Remove the elongated southern scaffold limb back towards its point of origin, retaining a substantial stub where necessary to avoid the creation of an excessively large pruning wound at the branch union. Remove associated deadwood greater than 50mm diameter from the crown over areas of regular public access. Monitor the extent of crown dieback, basal cavity development and condition of retained scaffold limbs. Review the need for further retrenchment pruning should decline continue or additional defects become apparent T3 - Chestnut - Fell to near ground level and retain stump as a habitat feature where practicable