Residents urged to report obstructive fallen trees

Since multiple storms hit Telford and Wrekin this winter – and another on the way – the council has been working to clear hundreds of trees affected by high winds and is asking residents to continue to report them.

Fallen and badly damaged trees blocking roads and footpaths, or others affecting parks and private properties have been prioritised by the team, but the council is aware of others causing obstructions and is asking residents to report them through the MyTelford app.

Between December 7 to January 2, the team received 739 enquiries – many of these reports involved multiple trees. This figure does not include additional, unreported trees being pro-actively removed and is likely to rise with the latest storm Éowyn (pronounced Ay-oh-win) bringing more high winds on Friday. (24 Jan)

Councillor Carolyn Healy, (Lab) Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability said: “A big thank you to our crews who are working every day to clear the debris caused by the storms just before Christmas.

“The scale of the damage has been unprecedented, and we understand the frustration residents are feeling. We appreciate your patience as the team continue to work through the backlog.”

With significantly more trees than many other towns and cities – an estimated 15 million – and even named ‘City of Trees’ by the United Nations (UN), the crew of tree surgeons continue to  work through an overwhelming number of reports.

Michael Price, arboriculture manager at Idverde, added: “Storm Darragh was one of the most severe storms I’ve ever been involved in my career and then a second storm further weakened damaged trees, this combined with sodden ground making moving heavy machinery like chippers and trailers an incredibly challenging scenario.

“Clearing trees is complex process, and the safety of our teams and the public is a priority, but we are clearing debris as quickly and as safely as possible. We are committed to doing this work safely and efficiently.”

Some of the trees that have fallen weigh between four and five tonnes and stretch 40 to 50 meters in height. Crews are prioritising the most dangerous situations, such as trees tangled with others and require specialised equipment such as winches, chippers, tractors, and mobile platforms to safely and efficiently remove them.

In just one day, one crew cleared 35 to 40 fallen trees along the length of the Silkin Way, removing around 40 tonnes of wood – roughly the equivalent weight of 40 small family cars.

Councillor Carolyn Healy added: “Support from residents have been invaluable in helping prioritise the most urgent cases. Please continue to report any fallen or damaged trees.”

Once the clearing of fallen trees is complete, Telford & Wrekin Council will look at opportunities to replant new trees where needed, helping to restore the borough’s green spaces.

Reporting Fallen Trees

Residents can continue to report non-emergency tree-related issues through the MyTelford app. For emergencies, please call 03451 559955 (out of hours).

Pic: Kyle Birch