Nelson park has 'too many trees' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Nelson park has 'too many trees'

11:30am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Pendle By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A PARK famed for its trees has reached “crisis point” with a third of them likely to die in the next ten years.

Walverden Park, Nelson, has around 450 trees but they were all planted at the same time and many are now deteriorating.

In response to the crisis, the Friends of Walverden Park have secured funding to work with Pendle parks department and a professional arboriculturist to create a tree management plan.

Keith Chadwick, chairman of the group, said: “This is absolutely vital, the whole park is in dire need of tree management.

“The plan will help to restructure the trees in the park and replant them.

"A lot of them are grouped together and block sunlight, which can hinder the grass growing, so it will help them solve that as well.”

The friends group received funding of £3,500 from Nelson Area Committee on Monday.

Martin Hodgson, secretary of the Friends, said: “In the past week alone we have found another seven trees that require work. The best way to solve the problem is to get professional assistance.”

Coun Mohammed Iqbal, who backed the funding, said: “We have great relations with the Friends. Without their input, the park would be in a worse state than 10 years ago.

“It is a value-for-money investment. From what we put in we will get back 10-fold in terms of effort from the friends group.”