Issue - meetings

The Nonsuch Voles shall provide the Committee with a verbal update regarding the Tree Register and the recent allocation of Champion Tree status to four trees within Nonsuch Park.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Nonsuch Voles regarding the Tree Register and the recent allocation of Champion Tree status to trees within Nonsuch Park.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            9 Champion Trees in the Park. The Voles Representative highlighted that the item summary within the agenda pack said that 4 trees had been allocated as Champion Trees. He explained that that since the publication of the agenda, this number had increased, and currently 9 trees within the Park were allocated Champion Tree status.

b)            Champion Tree Information and Publicity. The Voles Representative explained that the Champion Trees would be given special plaques to identify them, and that information on the trees would be added to tree trail leaflets. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that information on the Champion Trees would be also added to the Nonsuch Park Virtual Tour. She suggested that once the plaques had been installed, the Mayors of Epsom & Ewell and Sutton could be invited to attend a publicity event in the Park to celebrate the good news – the Committee were unanimously in support of this idea.

c)            Tree Care and Longevity. A Member enquired as to what could be done to protect the Trees. The Voles Representative stated that measures such as placing fencing around the trees or paying for soil decompaction services were unfortunately unfeasible. He stated that the health of the trees would be routinely monitored and that he would maintain communication on the matter with EEBC Tree Officers.

d)            Ages of the Trees. In response to a question from a Member, the Voles Representative explained that the exact age of the trees could not be verified, but suggested that many of them would have been planted when the former chalk pit in the formal gardens was landscaped in the mid-19th century. He stated that this information would be added to the tree trail leaflets.

e)            Thanks to the Voles. The Committee expressed their thanks for the tireless work and support for the Park provided by the Voles.