The Isle of Wight Council has said that tree works currently happening on the Island are vital for safety reasons and to preserve open spaces.
Lines of trees at Sandown's Los Altos Park have been chopped down in recent days, dramatically changing the landscape of the area.
It's prompted some local residents to ask why it's happening.
The council has said it is essential work to maintain the landscape for future generations.
Further works are planned for Big Mead and Rylstone Gardens in Shanklin.
This is how Los Altos Park in Sandown/Lake is looking now after tree works. Big Mead in Shanklin is next on the list. Read more: https://www.iwradio.co.uk/news/isle-of-wight-news/shanklin-trees-could-be-axed-as-part-of-council-safety-works/
Posted by Isle of Wight Radio on Wednesday, March 3, 2021
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said:
"As a council, it is our responsibility to protect and enhance our open spaces. With this in mind; it is our goal to increase the tree cover on our land holding by committing to planting more trees and working with a wide range of local stakeholders to secure the benefits of our natural assets for generations to come.
"As a council we also have a duty of care and so we manage the risk posed by trees. All our trees are regularly assessed by competent arboriculturists, and for safety, sometimes it becomes necessary to cut back or even remove trees. The planned council tree works at Los Altos Park, Sandown is such a situation.
"The trees in question are a line of Holm Oaks along the park boundary with the Island Line Railway. The trees were once a hedge that has since grown into 20m high trees. Because of the growth habit of the Holm Oaks at this location, their closely planted proximity and their propensity to form a low arching overextended crown over the path and railway line, they pose a significant risk to the public when they fail, either onto the path in the park or the railway line. It is necessary therefore to reduce the risk with appropriate remedial works to the trees.
"However, if possible, we prefer not to remove these trees entirely and with this in mind, the Holm Oaks will be maintained as pollards from now on, with an annual pruning cycle. This means the tops will be cut off, but allowed to grow back until they are cut again in a few years' time, in a similar manner to plane trees on the nearby streets.
"These trees are a natural and cultural asset and therefore it is the intention of the council in the future to mitigate for the loss of canopy cover by planting a row of native tree species parallel to the line of Holm Oaks, but outside of the falling distance of the railway line. This will provide a greater diversity of native tree species for future generations to enjoy, whilst maintaining the safety of the public our main priority."
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