A dozen trees in a Twickenham park will be chopped down within three weeks.

Tree removal orders were placed this morning (Wednesday, April 14) on 12 trees in Orleans Gardens, outside Marble Hill.

They include two groups of four trees which are closely planted together and four large horse chestnuts.

Replacement trees will be replanted where possible and Twickenham Nub News understands this will happen this winter.

Various reasons are given for their removal. These include:

• Structural failure of the main stem
• Decay at the tree's base and overall declining condition
• Defective lean which gives the tree less than 10 years' safe useful life expectancy
• Defective low trunk union which makes it prone to split
• Significant deadwood throughout the crown

Two trees are due to be removed because they'll be vulnerable to strong winds when their neighbouring trees have been removed.

"This is to inform you of an essential tree removal," the notice reads. "This tree forms part of a group on the west side of the park. The tree leans away from the group at roughly 20° to the east as it is a tall specimen.

"Once the neighbouring trees are removed this tree will be highly vulnerable to wind throw."

A sign on another tree says it is "suppressed by its neighbours" and when they are removed, this tree will be "highly vulnerable to wind throw".

The notices all read: "Richmond Council recognises that there will be an undesirable impact upon the park and a replacement tree will be planted in accordance with the adopted tree management policy in the same position if physically possible.

"Tree works will be undertaken and managed by KPS on behalf of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

"Removal will take place within the next three weeks. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding this work please contact the arboricultural section on the number at the top of this page to on mail [sic] at [email protected]."

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