During my annual tree inspection of Halesworth, I noticed some dead and overhanging branches along the London road (one of the entrances into Halesworth), originating from Highfield House. I contacted Natalie and together we inspected the impressive trees on the grounds. These are my notes. The purpose of them is for Natalie to share with tree surgeons and Highfield administration, for potential winter work. I suggest this amounts to an estimated 3 days work, with good mix of preventative work, which will save emergency work later on. (Recommend a five year plan for major tree work). It also plans for tree succession, an important element, especially in a garden landscape once so handsomely tended and cared for. Natalie advised me that all trees here had a TPO on them.
Heritage trees: I recommend 3 particular trees join our heritage trees list
a. Cedar of Lebanon, measured 430 meters, is estimated to be 170 years old
b. Oriental Plane – Platanus orientalis – originally from Iran, east, more unusual to the oxidental version
c. Monterey Cypress – More well known in California! A fine handsome specimen here.
- Northern boundary with London Road
Outside boundary, cut back the 3 ELM SUCKERS and the 1 ASH that will eventually reach the wires. Suggest you get your tree surgeons to do this, it is very straightforward, and will take no time at all. I know I said this was Highways land, but I’m not sure it is, the trees definitely come from your land and it would be easier for you to do it that me to raise a request. It can be done with a handsaw. Best done this winter before the trees grow to tall to manage easily.
2. Beech hedge
I suggest coppicing all this beech hedge, which is mainly dead, and replanting with a mixed or Hornbeam hedge. This is the entrance to the property and an important area. It was clearly planted as a beech hedge, which has over grown and mostly died. There are at least 2 beech which have survived, which would benefit from a coppice to help regenerate. Suggest remove all debris from around. Suggest after planting, mulch with woodchip. Suffolk Tree Warden network can help supply hedging plants, and any trees to replace. We can also provide protectors and stakes.
3. Dead trees replace
Probably died due to lack of protection and mulching or maintenance. Suggest replace with fruit trees such as cherry or crab apple (birds like) with attractive spring blossom. You have in place the supports, which is an advantage
4. Cherry prune and remove all dead trees boarding London Road
Remove dead branches from the cherry and reduce the canopy to give it more chance over the dominant ash. (Health and Safety issue here as people walk here). Suggest remove all plant debris.
Remove all dead trees – mainly elm – from boarder of London Road, and replant. Suggest Small Leafed Lime.
5. Cedar of Lebanon
To prejudice this remarkable tree, I suggest removing all the ivy from it. Ivy is fine on some trees and a rich biodiverse habitat and food source, but not here. I’d also suggest topping the Holm Oak to give the Lebanon more space.
Consider moving the debris from immediately around it, and give it all the protection you can.
6. Entrance Beech Lime tree
Once again I’d remove the ivy from around this beech. It is creating a strong sail which could catch the wind and what remains of the beech is a slither of its former glory. I’d take advice on this, but potentially pollard it much lower. I’d also consider the same with the Lime beside it. They have been unsympathetically cut in my view!
Kaliwood 