Agenda item

1.1       There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Kelso Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 27 June 2023.  

         DECISION

         AGREED to APPROVE the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

1.2      Action Tracker

The Action Tracker had been circulated.  The Chairman advised that there was no update form the Woodland Trust and a longer term plan would require to be discussed prior to an update in September 2023.

1.3       In terms of the actions in respect of the Pinnaclehill Woodland, there had been circulated copies of a briefing note on work required at Pinnaclehill Woodland.  Ballantyne Tree Services (on the BSC Works framework) had quoted for the following works at a cost of £600 + VAT:

·     From the access next to Pinnaclehill Lodge, the trees on the mount are a mixture of semi-mature Douglas Fir, young Cherry, semi-mature Spruce and Sycamore.  In the past, approximately 10 years ago, height was taken off a Fir. 

Recommend:  this time severing a 1m strip of ivy on the trees main stem, in particular those at the rear of 22/23 Pinnaclehill Park, when it dies back, reduce weight and sail affect within the trees crown.

·      The trees in the Linn (burn running to the river) are a mixture of mature Beech and Sycamore.  There was the odd dead Elm and stumps were noted on the opposite bank which was not work previously aware of

          Recommend:  sever ivy clearing 1m strip on mature trees adjacent the burn.

·       Rear of 23 Pinnaclehill and top of steps, to the left just before the steps going down is a group of Hazel, four Sycamore and a Laurel.  In the past these have been laterally reduced over the fence line.  Recommend:  Coppice hazel group, laterally reduce by 2m the Sycamore and Laurel.

·       The bank behind 22 to 32 Pinnaclehill was particularly steep, and there were a number of 22m+ Beech, Lime and Sycamore.  Storm Arwen caused the loss of a number of trees, most noticeable being a Beech which did have Kreztschumaria deusta which affected the structural length of the main stem.  The trees remain where they fell across the banking.

Recommend:  ivy severance take place on all large trees, including those at the top of the bank.  Also here, Maple and Lime may be pruned back and crown lifted 5 over the fenceline.

·       The riverside footway between the two benches had a number of low growing Sycamore and Elm.

Recommend: crown raise to 4m over the footway.

·       At the bottom of the second set of steps a mature Sycamore is leaning towards the river.

Recommend:  severing ivy to reduce weight.

·       Rear of 52 Pinnaclehill Park, the Horse Chestnut was pruned over 10 years ago now.  That, along with Holly and Sycamore may be pruned back to clear fenceline.

Recommend:  Lateral crown reduction to fend line at 5m.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)        that Ballantyne Tree Services be instructed to carry out the work as detailed in the briefing note at a cost of £600 plus VAT as soon as possible;

(b)        that the Tree Officer assess any further work required in terms of safety and confirm that there were no other tress infected with Kreztschumaria deusta;

(c)        that their thanks to the Tree Officer be recorded for arranging the work to be undertaken.