Before: How the trees in Parkway look now

ALMOST 200 lime trees lining the streets of a town centre are set to given a trim.

After: How the trees have looked after pollarding in past years

The trees along Howardsgate and Parkway in Welwyn Garden City are set to be pollarded – described by Welwyn Hatfield Council as a “short back and sides”.

This pollarding is part of the regular treatment carried out to every few years to manage the lime trees growth and ensure the health and vitality of the trees for future years.

Work is due to start on Monday next week and will last for a couple of weeks.

A council spokeswoman said: “All work will be carried out from the grass verges, so there should be no disruption to traffic or pedestrians.

“Pollarding involves the removal of the thin, young branches back to a framework of mature branches.

“Trees pruned in this way are less likely to become top heavy, be blown over in high winds or to have branches damaged during severe weather.

“It also encourages new strong growth, helps to prevent attacks by pests and diseases and prolongs the life of the tree.

“The lime trees within the town are part of a formal landscape and were planted with the intention that they would be pollarded on a regular basis to form a distinctive appearance.”

Cllr Mandy Perkins said: “It might look a bit drastic at first sight, but really will benefit the trees.

“They will grow back fairly soon and be stronger and healthier as a result.”