News Removal of unsafe Poplar Trees

Plans are in place for the removal of up to ten Poplar trees on the River Len close to the entrance of Square Hill Road, as they have been deemed unsafe.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) Parks and Open Spaces Team have been monitoring the trees for some time and found them to be lifting out the ground in high winds, creating a risk to safety.

The removal is planned to take place after the nesting period finishes at the end of the summer and contractors will conduct bat roost surveys before any felling takes place.

Cllr Clive English, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at MBC said:

“It is always very sad when we have to take down any trees, however the safety of our residents has to be our top priority.

“We will cut the resulting wood into logs and use these to create a hibernaculum, which is a protective sheltered habitat for insects and amphibians during winter.”

The nearby River Len Local Nature Reserve has already been planted with an additional 150 native trees and shrubs.

The works to remove the Poplar trees should take place towards the end of August.

Image of River Len by Chris Whippet for Geograph Britain and Ireland

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