Unstable trees at Tain Links

People in the Tain area are being notified that The Highland Council plans to fell up to eleven trees at the Links for public safety.

The results of an independent Arborist tree survey carried out for the Council has identified a number of unstable and potentially unstable trees at Tain Links.

In 2007 a number of trees from the same area were blown down on to the nearby skateboard park. In the interests of public safety the Council plans to fell trees identified in the survey as a top priority which have a “recommendation to fell”.

Tain Links belongs to the Tain Common Good and is managed by The Highland Council.  Concerns were raised about the safety of some of the trees at the Links at two particular sites including: trees on both sides of the skateboard Park and trees adjacent to the children’s play area. The Council commissioned an independent Arborist to carry out a tree survey in these two areas to gain a more detailed understanding of the issues. 

Carol Elliot, Highland Council Ward Manager for Tain and Easter Ross said: “The trees at Tain Links are not subject to a Tree Preservation Order; are not in a Conservation Area; and are not on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) all of which have specific legal restrictions.  Forestry Commission (Scotland) will be informed as the work may require a Felling Licence.

She added: “The Council has a legal responsibility for the Tain Links, including the trees.  Reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the management of risk and the safety of people using the area. We hope to carry out the felling works over the winter months while the soil is hard to limit damage to the ground area.

"The area will be replanted with trees following Forestry Commission guidelines and we hope that local community groups or schools will be interested in helping to plant trees. Community Services intend taking the felled wood and distributing it to pensioners in the Easter Ross area as part the service they already provide.”

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