WORK will start on 65 trees at Shanklin's Big Mead park next week.

Following inspections of hundreds of trees around the park, the Isle of Wight Council has identified which need work.

Many can be made safe by removal of limbs or other minor works, but some will need to be removed.

Where prominent trees are taken down, the planned work includes planting new trees next winter to ensure the popular park keeps its distinctive tree-lined landscape for future generations.

Cabinet member for environment, heritage and waste management, Cllr Steve Hastings, said: "The Isle of Wight Council is proud to be the custodian of woodlands and trees across the Island, from nature reserves to industrial estates.

"We want to increase tree cover on council land by planting more trees in the future, and working with local people to conserve and enhance our natural assets for generations to come.

"We understand the social, cultural, environmental and economic value of our trees and woodlands, and this is at the forefront of our tree management strategy.

"Our trees are regularly assessed by competent tree experts, and sometimes this means that we need to do work to keep them safe for everybody.

"Where appropriate, we'll also be planting trees, and in Big Mead that will be going on next winter, to give the new trees the best chance to get established.

"We'll be doing the same exercise in other places in the future, including Ventnor Park and Rylstone Gardens.

"So if you see work going on, please be reassured that we're committed to keeping our public open spaces safe for everyone — with plenty of trees and woodland."

As previously reported, 12 trees are set to be removed and replaced but six could be removed completely.

A 25m tall mature birch tree has already been removed as the work was deemed urgent due to a cavity in its base.

A sycamore tree, which is 18m tall, is to be removed and replaced as it has honey fungus and is at danger of falling into the playground as it leans that way.

Three trees will be pollarded, with one, an 18m tall lime tree reduced to half its size as a new fungus was found in the tree.

Three more trees will be cut back to a main stem, with an 11m tall horse chestnut, which leans over a path, being halved in size.

A 19m sycamore will be reduced to a 6m monolith as it has a canker and bacterial weeping.

To view the full list of works proposed to the trees you can view the application, 21/00245/TW, on the council's planning portal.