The elegant, mature horse chestnut trees on Twickenham Green reach the end of their four-week recovery period this week, and fences around the green will be taken down.

The period of recovery aimed to protect the roots and allow for recovery following soil improvement works which took place at the end of March.

These works aimed to protect tree roots from soil which has become heavily compacted after years of use.

Fencing around the green will be removed this Friday April 23.

Howard Roberts, Environment Officer at Friends of Twickenham Green, said: "Jane Crowther, who is supervising the work, pointed out that Twickenham Green is the first green space in the borough to receive this treatment, and will be closely monitoring it's development.

"Thanks to the contractors, and especially thank to Jane and her team in Parks, who do such vital work for our precious open space."

Council signs up on the trees say: "To keep our mature horse chestnut trees for many, many years to come, we are undertaking soil improvement (aeration and feeding) works on the 24th and 25th March 2021.

"This will be followed by a period of four weeks recovery and fencing to protect the soil and allow for recovery.

"A soil investigation showed that soils on Twickenham green are highly compacted through years of everyday wear from people, vehicles and machines on the grass.

"Soil compaction strict availability of air, water and nutrients to the tree roots. These elements are vital, especially for our ageing trees aeration involves injecting compressed air around the trees, rooting area with without causing damage to the roots.

"The aim of this work is to de-compact the soil and bring about a more favourable environment for Twickenham Green's valuable horse chestnut trees.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works, and thank you for your patience. Whilst remedial works are carried out, fencing, will be removed 23rd April 2021."