The removal of the primary limb and secondary limbs in its entirety, would result in a particularly large diameter wound at the main stem, which is unlikely to occlude sufficiently. This will expose the inner woody tissue to potentially damaging decay organisms that could impair the structural integrity of the tree. The resultant removal of a significant area of crown would also detrimentally affect the visual amenity value that the tree provides. The primary limb and subsequent secondary limbs has existed in much the same form for many years and at the time of inspection the area around the limb attachments as detailed in the application did not appear to be at a high risk of failure. The removal of a secondary limb over the highway and reduction of the adjacent secondary limbs would reduce the overall lever arm and lessen any risk of failure of the lower limb over the highway.

The removal of the central secondary limb over the highway and tip reduction of the adjacent secondary limbs in the cluster of three would be less impactful on the tree and lessen any risk of limb failure whilst retaining the overall attractive form and visual amenity provided by this tree.

Crown lifting of the Cedar tree is considered reasonable routine management.