UPDATE ON GREEN MAINTENANCE AT FOREST GREEN NOVEMBER 2021

APC commissioned a tree safety report in the Spring in order to inform a Tree Safety Management Policy which is a legal requirement. As a result, the trees identified as needing remedial works or felling within 3 to 6 months were dealt with last week. Two trees listed as ownership uncertain in the report became the responsibility of the householder concerned. The full report can be found under the Tree Management tab on the website, along with those for Abinger Hammer, Abinger Common, Walliswood Village Hall field and Walliswood Recreation Ground.

It is extremely sad that due to ash dieback the landscape will change dramatically. There are 5 groups of trees in the bands of woodland bordering the green to the north of the Parrot and forge where many will need to be felled. Any healthy trees will be left and monitored. Some of the stumps may re-generate and there will be replanting. Monoliths will remain to provide habitat.

More work is scheduled for next year and you may have noticed contractors walking around the green as we gather quotes. The Parish Council will also be undertaking a tree planting programme to ensure trees are planted to replace any felled.

Haymaking this year was a disaster. Despite our best efforts to secure contractors on two separate occasions those appointed failed to complete the work. Some of the grass then had to be topped. Bales could not be removed when the green became too wet. They will be removed in the Spring - sooner if there are hard frosts. Careful plans for getting back to normal with haymaking in late July are underway for next year.

In the next few weeks, there will be some strimming and brush removal, for example along the roadside at the pond and between the posts.

A certain amount of the reed mace will be removed from the pond under supervision before the end of January.

Please contact a parish councillor or the Parish Clerk should you have any concerns.