Removal, remediation and replacement tree works scheduled for Malahide Demesne.

Malahide Demesne has been the ancestral home of the Talbot family since 1185. The castle and 265 acres of their estate has been open to the public since1976 and Fingal County Council have managed this property since 1994. Fingal Operations Department’s role at Malahide Demesne is to retain the designed landscape and in particular its Woodlands. In 2018 an extensive survey was carried out of the Woodlands to establish the health and condition of the trees growing there. This report informed the development of a Woodland Management Plan for the management of the tree stock within the Demesne.

In conjunction with this, a Bat and Wildlife survey was carried out. These surveys guide staff in the monitoring and managing of these Woodlands, while preserving Wildlife and Bat populations. The Woodland Management Plan was produced not only to ensure the future of these Woodlands but also to ensuring the safe use of this park by the general public. Trees are regularly monitored, especially those identified as being high priority and located in high priority areas, Red zones, for example, near public footpaths and roads.

Due to their age, size, condition and their location, unfortunately a number of these trees have been recently identified as a risk and must be felled to ensure the public’s safety. Essential works need to be carried on a number of these trees. Several Beech trees located adjacent to roads, and to the pathways suffer from a combination of extensive wind damage and are in poor condition with evidence of decline and the presence of decay due to pathogenic disease. A large Lime tree contains dead wood throughout its crown and will need to have dead wood removed and be reduced in height to guarantee its future. An Ash, is leaning heavily over the road and is growing very near the boundary wall. Please watch the video below which explains why this work must happen.