FIVE possible landscaping options for the WGC beauty spot where nearly 200 trees were chopped down have been discussed at a meeting today (Friday). Welwyn Hatfield Council's task and finish working group met to examine the best re-planting options for th

FIVE possible landscaping options for the WGC beauty spot where nearly 200 trees were chopped down have been discussed at a meeting today (Friday).

Welwyn Hatfield Council's task and finish working group met to examine the best re-planting options for the south car park at Stanborough Park.

In November, the council authorised the felling of 195 Lombardy poplar trees at the park amid health and safety fears.

Now something needs to be done with the space where the trees stood

The five options discussed were:

1. To fill the space with all Lombardy poplars

2. To fill the space with a mixture of Lombardy poplars and broad wide crown trees, such as oak, cherry, maple and ash

3. To fill the space with native wetland trees, such as white poplars, black poplars, alders, birch and goat willow

4. To fill the space with ornamental choice of exotic species, such as pin oak, sweet gum, gingko and purple leaf plum

5. To fill the space with woodland ecological mix, such as wild cherry, oak, ash, field maple and hornbeam

Options one and three were discounted and the remaining options will be discussed by the group at a meeting on April 8.

Yesterday (Thursday) the group discussed the remaining 428 Lombardy poplar trees in the north car park at Stanborough Park.

Out of three options, two were chosen as possible ways forward.

These were to fell trees in three blocks and replant with a mixture of species, and to fell all the trees in one go.