Lime tree avenue brought back to its former glory

MORE than 100 lime trees near Tuxford have been restored to their former glory following a year of work by tree experts.

An avenue of 106 mature lime trees bordering the road to Milton Mausoleum have been stripped of dead, diseased and damaged branches to improve their life expectancy.

County Councillor John Hempsall said the work had made a difference to the view.

"After more than 150 years the trees were beginning to show their age so work on them was long overdue," he said.

"I'm delighted that the avenue is now looking resplendent and I'm sure people in and around Milton will appreciate the work that has been carried out."

The avenue was planted by the 4th Duke of Newcastle in the 1840s as a suitable approach to the mausoleum.

Milton Mausoleum itself was built by the Duke to house his wife Georgiana and their twin babies following their death at childbirth.

Markham Clinton Parish Council had applied for funding for the £20,000 project from Notts County Council's Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).

LIS project officer Nic Wort said funds from the scheme had paid to make the area safe and restore its original look.

"The work that has been carried out will reduce the risks from falling branches as some of them were unsecure and unsafe," he said.

"The removal of thin, wispy growth from the base and lower trunk of the tree has also helped recreate the lime tree avenue effect."