Removal, remediation and replacement tree works scheduled for Newbridge Demesne

Removal, remediation and replacement tree works are scheduled for Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, in the coming weeks after an arboriculture survey identified a risk to the public and to a heritage wall within the park.

The works will be carried out in three phases in the area parallel to Turvey Avenue and alongside a public footpath within the Demesne and are part of an overall rejuvenation plan for the woodland areas. 

The first phase will deal with those trees presenting the greatest risk to the public due to their structural stance. Eleven trees will be felled and pruning work will be carried out on two other trees.

The second phase of works will include trees with poor viability, trees affected by the removal or pruning of trees in the first phase and trees causing structural damage to the heritage wall along the boundary of the Demesne and Turvey Avenue. This will result in the felling of 22 diseased Ash trees (Fraxinus Spp.) and the removal of 30 self-seeded smaller girth trees. Pruning works will be carried out on another 28 trees.

The third phase will be the replacement of the removed trees through a comprehensive tree planting scheme that will see 65 trees planted in the Demesne. The most suitable species for each section will be used to rejuvenate the woodland and enhance the ecology, while providing sustainability and biodiversity for the future.

A video explaining the work to be undertaken, and the reasons for it, can be viewed at https://youtu.be/GSrcAVS_YCs.  

The survey to ascertain the condition and health of the trees was carried out by two qualified arboriculturalists who work within the Operations and Water Services Department of Fingal County Council. The Department also engaged the services of an external Ecologist and liaised with the Fingal County Council Biodiversity Officer as part of this process. The arboriculture works, including the felling, pruning and replacement planting, will be carried out in line with Fingal’s Tree Management Policy, Fingal’s Biodiversity Plan and the British Standards for Arboriculture.

Fingal County Council’s Director of Operations and Water Services, Mary T Daly, said: “Fingal’s vision is to retain the heritage characteristics of the woodlands that Newbridge Demesne has to offer, while maintaining and providing a sustainable safe woodland for the public and future generations to enjoy. The purpose of the Tree Survey was to carry out individual inspections on the condition, health and risk assessment of trees within falling distance of a road or footpath. The Survey identified a number of trees that pose a risk to the public and we have no option but to remove these as well as others that are no longer viable. All the trees that are removed will be replaced by suitable species within the woodland. The work we are about to undertake is best practice in a properly-managed woodland.”