EXPERT tree surgeons have carried out essential work to preserve the ancient oak tree on Meavy Village Green this week.

Burrator Parish Council instructed the careful pruning of the crown to ensure the tree was safe and to remove any danger of collapse.

The pruning work to preserve the 1,000 year-old tree comes after an arboricultural report released earlier this year stated the ancient tree was in a ‘very advanced state of decline’ and if left untouched would pose a major safety risk to nearby people or parked cars.

Following this week’s pruning, a spokesperson for Devon Tree Services, which carried out the work, said: ‘All we have done is to reduce the weight and area of the two primary branches coming out towards the road and the pub. The aim was to prune the tree to prevent it from falling apart and so preserve its life for as long as possible.’

An ongoing management plan led by the parish council is likely to include further minor pruning in the years ahead and the consultants’ report has recommended the railings around the tree’s trunk be expanded and extended to allow nourishment of the ground and to reduce compaction by public footfall. The seat below the tree may also be re-sited.

Burrator Parish Council vice chairman Cllr Robin Aves said: ‘The tree now looks splendid and is much better balanced. The parish council hopes that this operation and further work to the surrounding area will secure the future of this iconic oak tree for as long as possible.’