PRUNING hundreds of trees on an estate in East Shields will have the area blooming, say local councillors.
Forestry workers from South Tyneside Council’s Greenspace team are maintaining 286 trees in the area.
Eighteen maples, mountain ashes and whitebeams are to be removed between King George Road and Prince Edward Road roundabout, up to the Ridgeway.
Coun Jim Foreman, a Labour representative for Cleadon Park, said: “The ward members are aware how important trees are to local people, as they play a crucial role in the make-up of our community. We have been working closely with the Greenspace team to ensure all of the public concerns have been raised and dealt with accordingly.”
The 18 trees which have been earmarked to go have either declined because of the recent weather conditions or are diseased.
Some have also caused pathways to become uneven, because of their roots pushing upwards.
Any trees which are removed will be replaced with new saplings within 12 months as part of the council’s replanting programme.
Coun Tracey Dixon, South Tyneside Council’s lead member for area management and community safety, said: “Tree felling is an integral part of the council’s maintenance programme with public safety being our No1 priority.
“We always try our best to ensure the felled trees are replaced by young saplings that will be with us for generations to come.”
Coun George Elsom, Cleadon Park’s Real Independent representative, thinks the pruning work will help keep pedestrians and motorists safe, while preserving the area’s greenness.
He said: “I do believe that it is a good idea to replace diseased and damaged trees. This prevents the spread of disease, and alleviates the chance of pedestrians and motorists being hurt by branches falling from these trees. I think that the trees must be replaced by specimens which will not damage the pavements.”
He added: “We must keep the lovely vista that King George Road has as a lovely, tree-lined road.”
Twitter: @ShieldsGazVez
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