Tree conservation works including removal of willow tree

Essential tree conservation works will take place in Guildford town centre at the beginning of March, including the re-pollarding of a number of plane and willow trees along Millmead. As part of the process GBC need to remove a willow tree alongside the Town Bridge, next to Portsmouth Road surface car park.

GBC have been monitoring this tree for a number of years. Sadly a recent inspection showed that its structural condition has seriously deteriorated with major decay throughout. GBC need to consider the safety of the public and remove the tree, which will be replaced with a new willow sapling. There is no particular reason for the tree’s decline in condition, it is simply due to its age and species.

Cllr Richard Billington, Lead Councillor for Rural Economy, Countryside, Parks and Leisure says: “This willow tree has come to the end of its natural life, so to protect the public we need to remove it. We value all of the trees in our borough so this is not a decision we take lightly, but rest assured we will be planting a new willow sapling in its place.”

The tree works will begin on Thursday 2 March.