Hatherley Park poplar tree maintenance - public notice
Poplar tree - reduction in size
There is an intention to considerably reduce the size of this very large poplar tree in Hatherley Park to reduce the risk it poses to persons and property adjacent.
It has been noticed that the tree is quite frequently dropping large branches on to the public footpath underneath as well as onto other smaller trees and adjacent gardens.
Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) has been trying to reduce the hazard whilst retaining the natural form of the tree. This has been done through removal of the abundance of the considerable quantities of mistletoe from the crown. However, it has been noted that despite attempts to reduce the rate of growth of the mistletoe, it still regrows very quickly. This considerably adds to the “sail area” of the tree-especially when it grows near to branch ends.
This, combined to the now frequent exceptionally hot and dry springs and summers in recent years, seems to have made the wood of the branch work less flexible and more brittle than normal. Decay fungus has also been identified near the base of the trunk. As such, it is now considered that significant crown size reduction is necessary to reduce current risk to park users and neighbours.
This pruning will be undertaken in the new year (2026).
Following the pruning, it is intended to re-prune the tree back to the initial crown reduction size every 8 to 10 years. This will ensure that the tree’s visual amenity is retained – but in an acceptably safe manner.
You may have noticed that CBC have been managing a similar sized poplar tree in this manner in the middle of Burrows playing field for over 35 years. CBC re-prune this tree every 8 to 10 years and the tree remains in good condition.
Such pruning and re-pruning is called “pollarding” and is a very old form of tree management. Originally this management technique was used as a means of timber production. Trees can live for many years/centuries if managed in this manner.
Chris Chavasse
Senior trees officer
Cheltenham Borough Council