Wokingham, a town renowned for its verdant landscapes and commitment to environmental stewardship, recently undertook a delicate and significant operation. Simon Holmes, a leading arboriculturist in our local area, Parish Environmental, alongside the team at St. Paul’s, played a pivotal role in securing the well-being of the community by transforming an iconic oak tree that had become a safety concern.
This oak, a magnificent and towering presence beside the main thoroughfare, had long stood as one of the oldest and largest trees in the area, serving as a living testament to Wokingham’s enduring connection with its natural environment. In the face of safety assessments that declared the tree a potential hazard, a decision was reached to preserve the tree in a manner that would ensure public safety and allow the tree’s legacy to continue. Over the course of the 27th and 28th of December, a carefully planned pollarding operation was executed.
Pollarding, an ancient and respected tree management technique, was chosen to maintain the oak’s presence while addressing safety concerns. This method of tree care is renowned for its ability to rejuvenate a tree, encouraging new growth and prolonging its life. The skilled arborists from Parish Environmental approached this task with precision and respect for the surrounding ecosystem, ensuring the continued health of nearby plants and wildlife.
The work completed by Parish Environmental exemplified a progressive approach to veteran tree management, blending traditional methods with modern safety standards. The pollarding of the oak was a clear demonstration of Wokingham’s resolve to nurture its natural spaces in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The landscape has indeed changed with the oak’s transformation, yet it stands as a testament to the community’s resilience and adaptability. It’s through the collaboration of environmental experts, the local church, and the community’s support that such a project could be brought to fruition. Their joint efforts underline a collective commitment to the guardianship of the town’s cherished green spaces.
A massive thank you to Father Richard Lamey and his amazing team for working with us, it was an incredibly hard project to start due to the nature of the project, and despite many setbacks, Father Richard and his team kept pushing to make the area a safer place.
Thank you to Wokingham Borough Council for allowing the road closure and working with our team to allow this critical safety work to happen.
