The Chelsea Elm was safely pruned yesterday after an agreement was reached between the Save Nether Edge Trees group, Sheffield Council and Amey.

Many protesters were fearful that Amey would ignore the agreed plans, despite the presence of an independent arborist that had been specially employed for the occasion by Save Nether Edge Trees.

“I just want to say a huge thanks to all who respected the pruning work on the elm today. I understand how nervous people were, how much trust you had to put in Amey, SCC and even me! A shed load of it in fact. But it was a successful day in the end after a really tough week.

So many people contributed, too many to thank individually. But from the bottom of my heart thank you all. The butterfly colony is virtually untouched and the tree should almost certainly be okay too”

Paul Selby, Save Nether Edge Trees

On the day, it was decided that less branches needed to be removed than was previously thought necessary.

Tellingly, the pruning was carried out by Amey’s own arborists rather than Acorn, who Amey, the external company they have previously relied upon to fell contested trees.

Let’s hope that Amey’s willingness to cooperate is a sign of things to come.

An agreement has been reached between the Save Nether Edge Trees group, Sheffield Council and Amey with regard to the “pressing safety work” to be carried out on the Chelsea Elm.

Although the campaign has always agreed that some pruning of the rare disease resistant elm was required for safety reasons. Campaigners have previously prevented work being carried out on the tree due to concerns over the extent of the work the council was proposing, and the effect it may have on the rare species of White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly that have made their home in its branches.

The Plan
It has been agreed that Amey contractors will:

Remove a single branch/limb identified in an independent report as imminently dangerous.
Remove a smaller branch which is encroaching into the carriageway.
Thin the canopy (top and sides) by between 2 and 2.5 metres.
All work will be under the observation of an independent arborist, employed by Save Nether Edge Trees.

Long Term
The long term future of the tree is still being discussed, but after the pruning, there should be no imminent threat of felling. And the tree will continue to be being monitored as part of the butterfly mitigation plan.

Peaceful Pruning Observation Event 
The work is due to be carried out on Friday 23rd February. Time to be confirmed. 

We would like people to peacefully observe the pruning from outside the safety barriers, ensuring the pruning and safety work is unhindered.

For more information see here.

Also See: Council To “Prune” The Chelsea Elm