A large Weeping Willow was recently removed at Exe Bridges. Can you please advise on the following:
1) Who owns the land
Devon County Council (DCC) do not hold this information. We can tell you that the tree is growing from unregistered land.
2) Who carried out the works
Teign Trees and Landscapes Ltd carried out the works on behalf of DCC Highways.
3) Who made the decision
Three qualified tree surveyors determined that the tree needed surgery in order to mitigate the risk it posed to users of the highway. The ultimate decision to carry out the pollard to the willow in order to retain the tree but mitigate the risk, was made by DCC’s Corporate Tree Officer.
4) Replacement tree strategy
We offset losses of trees felled for safety reasons (it should be noted that this tree was not felled and is not dead) by providing financial and other support to the Devon Wildlife Trust’s ‘Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project’. Further information on our replacement tree strategy can be found on this DCC webpage
5) Cost of the works (as this does come out of the public funds)
DCC do not hold this information as the contractor has not invoiced us yet. However, through the Council’s Tree Surgery Framework Contract we have very competitive rates for tree surgery and the cost will be insignificant in relation to the Council’s overall Tree Safety Management budget.