Cotes woodland maintenance - Spring 2024 update

Parish Woodlands

Residents will have noted the work done on Parish Council woodland at Cotes. This work was not commissioned by the Parish Council (which is not allowed to fell trees within a set distance of power lines) but was undertaken as part of its maintenance responsibilities by Electricity NorthWest Ltd (ENWL).

The growth of trees into and over power lines was widespread as thinning and cut-back work had not been possible in recent years, with Covid being an additional barrier to work. This had resulted in a considerable backlog of work for ENWL generally and it is indicative of the importance they attached to the situation at Cotes that they prioritised this work.

The resultant thinning was therefore extensive, but welcomed by the Parish Council as necessary and will benefit the woodland eco-system. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented the removal of much of the timber, but plans are in hand to finalise the work and to arrange for the disposal of saleable timber. The Parish Council has also commissioned work along Lowgate as part of its ongoing woodland management.

To further assist its management of the woodlands that it owns, The Parish Council is about to engage an arboriculturist to update the existing Tree Health and Safety Report. Its woodlands were surveyed in 2020 and a report published as a result. Some work was undertaken, but once again Covid impeded the implementation of most of the recommendations. With the continuing spread of ash die-back in mind it is now prudent to review the Report and to identify any specific trees that are in need of attention.