Lime trees - climbing inspection carried out to assess the bracing with regard toits purpose, integrity and viability. The bracing in all three trees has long past its usefulness. It is degraded and brittle, though how much of its initial strength rating has been lost is unknown. The trees have grown significantly since the bracing so the height of the braces is now too low to be effective. The included unions at crown break do not appear to be ay different to those in the surrounding trees and I do not, therefore see the requirement for bracing. I would recommend the trees are pruned to match to contiguous line to the west in the church grounds. Raise canopies to approximately 6-7m, remove major deadwood over 30mm in diameter, reduce selected over extended limbs by 2m to bring in line with canopy. Remove braces. Thin canopy by 10-15% to temporarily reduce sail effect. Total foliar removal to equal no more than 30% in total. Also recommend dismantling of the suppressed and diseased multi stem Sycamore on the grassed area to ground level and treat stump to inhibit regeneration. Grind resultant stump to 200-250mm below ground level, leaving the grindings on site spread out or heapted near the base. G1 17 Lime (Tilia species) Spec: S1 Lift crown to a height of approx 6-7m above ground level, by removing branch tips only. Remove ... Spec: S2 Thin crown by a maximum of 10-15% retaining an even density of foliage throughout a well-spaced Spec: S3 Remove deadwood. Reason: R1 Sound arboricultural management Reason: R2 To ensure future compatibility with site, surroundings and usage

The Vicarage, 231 Kennington Road, Kennington, Oxfordshire