Fewer trees to go after Walsall Arboretum protest

The number of historic trees due to be cut down from Walsall Arboretum has been slashed by more than a 100 following a review, it has emerged.

A total of 368 trees were earmarked for the chop ahead of the multi-million pound restoration of the town's premier park.

This was largely blamed on their poor condition and inappropriate locations by Walsall Council with the risk some of the mature trees may shed large branches in public areas posing a health and safety hazard at the popular site.

But it has now emerged a revised number of 260 trees will be removed after a re-think on how many needed to be lost.

In a report to councillors, Simon Tranter, head of development and delivery at the council, says: "The original notification consisted of the removal of approximately 368 individual trees.

"In assessing the notification, there were extensive on-site discussions between officers from the Green Spaces Improvements and the Natural Environment Teams. This resulted in significant reductions in the work proposed.

"The revised schedule of works involves the removal of about 260 trees and a row of Leyland cypresses as well as crown lifting, crown reduction and coppicing work."

An online campaign was launched to stop the work, and letters of complaints from residents highlighted the impact it would have on wildlife, saying such action was unnecessary.

However, the council says 4,000 new trees and shrubs will be planted within the park. Of these 3,000 are being donated by The Woodland Trust, with a further 1,000 fruit trees offered by the Tree Council.

The first phase of the £7.6 million revamp, a skate park, opened to visitors last month. Contracts for the main phase of the transformation will go out to tender in December so work can begin next year.

The visitor centre forms the centrepiece of the refurbishment, which will also see the bandstand and boathouse revamped, footpaths resurfaced and widespread horticultural improvements also lined up.

All work is expected to be finished by 2013.

The annual Walsall Illuminations was axed while the work goes ahead.