Culloden Drive tree survey

An avenue of trees known as Culloden Drive in Culloden near Inverness will be surveyed next week (29th Oct – 2nd Nov) by The Highland Council.

Early signs of Dutch Elm Disease were identified in some of the trees during the summer by the Council, and the survey now aims to assess the condition of all the trees, and spot any signs of further disease.

Results of the tree survey will help to identify any trees which may pose a health and safety risk to the many pedestrians and cyclist using the avenue.

Sonia Wayman, Highland Council’s Projects Officer with the Planning and Development Service said: “The avenue of mixed broadleaves was originally planted as a beech avenue around 150 years ago although there has been regeneration of other species such as lime and birch since then.

“The survey will include an individual tree inspection where all trees are tagged, mapped and surveyed against a list of predetermined criteria.  A surveyor will assess the current condition of the trees and give recommendations for remedial tree surgery or felling works which may be required to make the trees safe or healthy 

“Tree surgery and felling are sometimes necessary as trees can be damaged by wind and snow as well as by pathogens. Some of the trees on Culloden Drive have become infected by Dutch elm disease and are dying or have already been killed. These trees will have to be felled to remove the danger of dead trees falling onto paths or roadways and to try to limit the spread of the disease.

“Felling will create clearings in the woodland into which existing, young, understorey trees can become established.  If there are no existing understorey trees then there will be an opportunity to carry out replacement planting which allows for the introduction of tree species which may be absent or poorly represented.”

Unless any emergency works are required, no tree surgery - sawing or cutting – is planned for next week, there will only be inspection works. Any tree surgery required will come at a later date.

For further information please contact: Sonia Wayman, The Highland Council Planning and Development Service 01463 702544