Over the next year, trees in Oakham are to be assessed as part of a report into their condition.

Stuart Kidd, Forestry Officer for Rutland County Council told members of Oakham Town Council in a letter presented at their extraordinary meeting on 20 September that the reassessment of the trees in the town for 2023/24 would cost £1,382.79 excluding VAT.

Mr Kidd said: "Small trees are those of 75mm in diameter, rather than girth, while ivy band removal should ideally be undertaken by a combination of handsaws and chainsaws.

"The extent of the ivy growth would make the job too long and tiresome for removal by just a handsaw i.e. pruning saw, but using just a chainsaw will likely result in damage to the tree stems.

"So I recommend using both with good judgment on when to use the handsaw.

"The tree planting will likely be in the form of six groups of three trees, and for this year's planting, will be ordered by late September. Therefore, the sooner the confirmation the better.

"You also asked me for a quote for the reassessment of trees requiring an assessment this year. I have looked at the records and noted that some trees also require an assessment in just over 12 months' time. Therefore, I provided you a quote to assess all the trees for just 2023, and 2023 and 2024 combined, which would save money in the longer term."

Members of Oakham Town Council agreed the tree survey for 2023/24 should go ahead.