THE condition of trees at a dale village cemetery has come under scrutiny.
Members of Cotherstone Parish Council discussed whether any action was needed on a cherry tree and self-seeded sycamores at the cemetery. Cllr Richard Hunter said he thought the only work required for the cherry tree was to prune it back.
However, he said the sycamores appeared to be more of a potential problem.
Cllr Richard Green said no complaints had been received from residents neighbouring the cemetery about the cherry tree growing over their garden, while nothing was endangering the cemetery wall.
“We were only going to do something because it was encroaching on the garden,” he said.
Cllr Green said he would investigate the issue further and members agreed to defer any decision until he reports back.
A PUBLIC-spirited resident has been thanked for helping to spruce up a dale village by planting dozens of trees and shrubs.
Earlier this year, parish councillors in Cotherstone accepted an offer by Gavin Butterfield to carry out the work at The Hagg, which leads down to the banks of the Tees.
At the parish council’s March meeting, clerk Judith Mashiter said Mr Butterfield had been in touch to say he had completed planting for this year, putting in 50 trees and shrubs. He had also dug up a number of bramble bushes which had begun to spread, councillors were told.
Ms Mashiter said Mr Butterfield planned to plant more trees next year behind the goal posts on The Hagg and on the bankside.
In the meantime, he would water the saplings planted this year and weed out as necessary, she said.
Cllr Jenny Watson proposed a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Butterfield for his efforts and colleagues agreed.
