Trees in Market Square

Further work will take place to identify how problems caused by lime trees in Lancaster’s Market Square can be solved.

The trees themselves will remain and instead trials of different cleansing methods and products, along with research into best practice, will take place.

Last night (Wednesday February 3) Lancaster City Councillors debated the future of seven trees in Market Square, following a petition from the public.

The trees have been the subject of intense debate following proposals that they should be removed.

A particular issue with the current lime trees in the Square is that they are a haven for aphids that feed on their sap. They then secrete ‘honeydew’, a sugar rich sticky liquid, on to the new surfacing below, causing it to become slippery in wet weather, and making it difficult to clean.

The trees also block out light from the Square and obscure buildings.

Coun Janice Hanson, Cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, told the meeting of Full Council that the trees will be retained with further trials taking place of different cleansing methods and products and research into best practice.

She said: “It has become very clear to me that the trees in Market Square have much significance to the public. I have listened to these views and believe that we should act accordingly.

Therefore, the trees will be retained but we also need to ensure we have in place a realistic and affordable management and maintenance regime in the Square.

“To do so we will need further trials of different cleansing methods and products and research into best practice to take place. Once completed officers will report back to Cabinet in Autumn 2017 with costed recommendations for Cabinet to consider."

Last updated: 25 February 2016