109 Cambridge Road Great Shelford Cambridgeshire CB22 5JJ
The tree in question is the southernmost of the two Copper Beech forming 'G7' from TPO 25/02/SC. It is referenced as 'T001' on the attached drawing 9704. The specimen has been under the supervision of Hayden's Arboricultural Consultants since a rapid decline in the physiological health of the tree was observed in spring 2022. A photo of the tree was captured in August 2022 (attached) which shows the crown with an approx. 50% sparsity/dieback. Since then, the specimen has continued its rapid decline and as now on the cusp of being dead, and very unlikely to come into leaf next year. The cause of the death of the tree is suspected Beech Bark Disease. Cracks in the buttressing and lower stem were noted in August 2022, which resemble those caused by this disease, though no orange/rust fungal growths were observed at the time. The approved construction works allied to this site had not started by August 2022, so it can be confidently stated that the decline of the tree is not related to recent activity around the tree. A replacement Copper Beech tree will be planted in the location shown on drawing 9704.