A giant redwood tree overshadowing the house where John Lennon resided in Sunninghill, Ascot is facing fears of removal following decades of decay.
Although scientific analysis has found ‘advanced decay’ in the trunk further investigations confirm that this is the result of compaction and dry summers – meaning measures can be put in place to ‘revive the trees vigour’.
The deciduous tree has been present overhanging the property which was once owned by John Lennon and Ringo Star between 1969 and 1973.
During the filming of the Beatles hit, Hey Jude, the multi-million-pound mansion was the backdrop for the album cover and also where Lennon wrote Imagine for the hit band on a white baby grand.
During an assessment of the trees throughout the grounds, it was discovered that ‘some small decay is present at the base on the northern side of the giant deciduous redwood, but internal decay assessment has shown this is not extensive or a likely cause of the decline.’
This test was conducted using a Picus & Resistograph decay assessment to ascertain the condition and structural integrity of the wood supporting the tree.
Andrew Day, the director of the tree specialists company completing the research agreed that introducing nutrients into the soil to improve the environment would be suggested rather than feeling the majestic tree.
He explained following the examination of the trees and surrounding area: 'The crown is showing signs of stress, but I would expect that this is as a result of soil compaction and disturbance within the rooting area of the tree, possibly further stress has been added by the recent dry summers.
'The rooting area should be de-compacted and aerated to try and revive the trees vigour.
'As part of these works the ground should be treated with a soil improvement solution such and possible a covering of a significant part of the root protection area with an organic mulch.
'Terraventing or similar could be used to undertake a combined approach to de-compact the soil and introduce mycorrhiza into the soil to improve its condition and hopefully aid the tree in recovering from the decline it is suffering.'
He added that the tree should be retested in two years, or sooner if it continued to show signs of decline.
The process of terraventing is when a hollow probe is hammered into the ground, before air is pumped down it - breaking and loosening the soil.
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