Our magnificent plane tree is restored to (most of) its former glory

Our excellent tree surgeons only took two days in the end to re-shape the big tree in the middle of the garden which suffered damage in the flash storms of 23rd October. After a huge branch broke off the task was to correct the resulting lop-sidedness and I think you’d agree they’ve made a skilled job of it with the reduction in size barely noticeable. One piece of disappointing news tho’ – having removed the lights & checked their condition they found a lot of wiring exposed to the extent that it was deemed not worth re-stringing them, so sadly there will be no Christmas lights this year. One for the budget in 2023!

Restoration work begins on big tree

I am happy report that the tree experts have now moved in to start work on re-shaping our magnificent plane tree in the middle of the garden which suffered damage in the flash storms of 23rd October. Westminster Council kindly speeded up our application for this work to be done – necessary because we are in a Conservation Area which means the majority of the trees in the Garden are subject to preservation orders -- & hopefully the operation will be finished by Friday. Meanwhile please continue to give the tree a wide berth on safety grounds. It's hoped that the Christmas lights can be re-strung to function as before & it was certainly an encouraging omen when in accordance with tradition they were briefly illuminated at the end of the recent Bonfire Night celebrations!

What is happening to our lovely plane tree?

......It’s the focal point of our Garden but residents will remember that a huge branch was brought down in the flash storms of 23rd October & the tree has been cordoned off ever since, awaiting the attentions of the tree surgeons who are going to lop it back into shape. As we are in a Conservation Area the majority of the trees in the Garden are subject to preservation orders which meant that planning permission had to be sought. Fortunately Westminster Council -- which normally asks for a six-week notice period on all such applications -- kindly pushed this one through in record time, as a result of which work is due to begin tomorrow (Tues) & will hopefully finish by Friday. Meanwhile please continue to steer well clear of the tree as in recent weeks on safety grounds. It's hoped that the Christmas lights can be re-strung to function as before & it was certainly an encouraging omen when in accordance with tradition they were briefly illuminated at the end of the recent Bonfire Night celebrations!