Around 200 trees to be felled in Withdean Park because of elm disease
Work is due to start on Monday and is expected to take around three weeks
Around 200 trees are due to be felled in Withdean Park from today because of elm disease.
Brighton & Hove City Council said its arboriculture team will carry out the work to manage the spread of the disease and prevent it returning through the root systems.
The council said the trees were identified after inspections found a significant spread of the disease.
It said all the affected trees are in a small area of the park, but its prominent location means the work will affect the wider park.
The work also includes felling one mature ash tree.
Which trees will be removed
The council said the felling will include infected and deteriorating trees, along with neighbouring elms likely to be affected through their interconnected root systems.
It said some of these trees may appear healthy.
The council said this is in line with its established policy for managing elm disease.
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries, said: "It's always sad when trees have to be felled, but the work planned for Withdean Park is essential to manage the ongoing problem of elm disease and to protect other healthy trees."
He added: "Once the work is completed, we will continue to monitor the site to help prevent further spread of these devastating diseases."
How the work will be carried out
The council said the work will be done in one phase to minimise disruption to the woodland, wildlife and park users, and to allow the site to recover quickly.
It said the work should take around three weeks.
The council said a large proportion of the existing vegetation will remain.
It said the area will continue to be managed to help prevent regrowth from any infected root systems.
The Forestry Commission has been told about the plans.
The council said the removals are being carried out under a felling licence exemption in the Forestry Act relating to elm disease management.
It said all necessary ecological assessments will be carried out before plans are finalised.