Pruning day set for Royal Square trees

Saturday 25 February 2017

The Royal Square horse chestnut trees are due for some TLC this weekend, as pruning is scheduled to take place this Sunday.

The trees were last pruned in 2012, and will undergo a similar tree-tment process as then.

Care will be taken to ensure that the overall shape of the trees is maintained as much as possible.

Their height will be chopped to 7.5m and any dead, diseased or rubbing branches will be removed.

The Department for Infrastructure says that pruning the trees helps to reduce the risk of branches being lost or damaged as a result of strong winds, and allows more light into the Royal Square.

Nick Armstrong, Arboricultural Officer at the Department for Infrastructure, says: “When the trees are first pruned it looks quite dramatic, but it is done for good reason and as you can see from the growth that has occurred since 2012, the trees will re-grow quite quickly.”

Pictured: Trees outside the States Chamber and Royal Court in the Royal Square.

The work will be carried out at times which will not conflict with the States and Court sittings and every effort will be made to guarantree that there is minimum disruption to pedestrians in the area.