Tree & Woodland Review Mallow Castle & Town Park Mallow Co. Cork - Project No. 6615 Preliminary Report
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Tree & Woodland Review
Mallow Castle & Town Park
Mallow
Co. Cork
Project No. 6615
Preliminary Report
DATE: 14 October 2019
REPORT:
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Brady Shipman Martin www.bradyshipmanmartin.com DUBLIN Canal House Canal Road Dublin 6 + 353 1 208 1900 CORK Penrose Wharf Business Centre Penrose Wharf Cork +353 21 242 5620 LIMERICK 11 The Crescent Limerick +353 61 315 127 mail@bradyshipmanmartin.com
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
DOCUMENT:
6615_RP PREL Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Preliminary Report
This document has been issued and amended as follows:
Issue Revision Description/Status Date Prepared Checked
by by
01 00 Tree & Woodland Review 14/10/19 JM
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 1
2 Findings .............................................................................................. 1
2.1 Mallow Castle Grounds ................................................................................1
2.2 Deer Park ......................................................................................................3
2.3 Maple Wood .................................................................................................5
2.4 Castle Lands ..................................................................................................5
2.5 River Walk .....................................................................................................6
2.6 Kitchen Garden .............................................................................................8
2.7 Spa House .....................................................................................................9
2.8 Town Park ...................................................................................................10
3 Comments ........................................................................................ 12
4 Recommendations ........................................................................... 13
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
1 INTRODUCTION
This report presents the findings of a preliminary ground level assessment of the
significant trees and woodlands recorded during a walk‐through of the Mallow Castle
estate, Mallow Town Park and Blackwater River Walk undertaken over two days in
January 2019.
Note: The trees were not subject to individual inspection and this report should be
regarded as a preliminary assessment of the trees as groups; it is not a health and
condition survey of all of the trees.
2 FINDINGS
2.1 Mallow Castle Grounds
Ornamental gardens and grounds in the immediate vicinity of the two castle buildings,
the 19th century baronial mansion and 16th‐century fortified house. The gardens and
grounds contain some notable trees including some tall, prominent mature Beech
(Fagus sylvatica) and Common Lime (Tilia x europaea) trees to the north‐west of older
tower house and to the north‐west of the baronial mansion. More mature Common
Lime trees make up an avenue along the drive to the northeast of the fortified house.
There are several mature specimen Yew (Taxus baccata) trees in the formal garden
south‐west of the mansion and a number of mature Holm Oak (Quercus ilex), Beech and
Sweet Chestnut (Castanaea sativa) trees around the western and northern borders of
the mansion grounds.
There are numerous self‐sown semi‐mature Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Ash
(Fraxinus excelsior) and Elder (Sambucus nigra) trees to the south and west of the
fortified house and around the fringes of the garden. Other trees include several mature
and early mature Monterey Pines (Pinus radiata), Scots Pines (Pinus sylvestris) and Silver
Birch (Betula pendula) to the south and southeast of the fortified house. The older
Beech, Common Lime, Yew, Holm Oak and Sweet Chestnut are likely to have been
planted as the new mansion was being established; whilst most of the other trees
appear to be much more recent (later 20th century) planting or natural regeneration.
Photo 1. 19th century mansion viewed from the NW, with prominent mature trees (mostly
Common Lime) to left and right of the building
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 1
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Photo 2. Formal garden close to the baronial mansion, showing specimen Yew trees on the lawn to the southwest and cluster of mature Lime to the northwest Photo 3. Fortified house viewed from the southwest with tall mature Beech trees to west of old building and mixed species (Monterey Pine, Scots Pine and Silver Birch to east
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
2.2 Deer Park
Large enclosed field of permanent pasture; currently grazed by a herd of deer. The field
(or Wood Pasture) includes numerous late mature and mature Horse Chestnut (Aesculus
hippocastanum), Sycamore, Oak (Quercus robur) and Sweet Chestnut, mostly spread out
across the southern part of the enclosure. Many of the trees are substantial old
specimens with wide spreading forms characteristic of open ground parkland trees. A
number of trees have died, with at least one large Horse Chestnut dead standing; many
others have suffered significant storm damage over the years, especially the large Oak
trees in the eastern end of the park.
Numerous younger self‐sown trees (mostly Sycamore and Ash) have become
established along the southern edge of the park, colonising the steep ground and old
stone wall.
Photo 4. Mature Horse Chestnut and Sycamore trees in Deer Park field to south and southeast of
the mansion
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 3
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Photo 5. Large old Oak trees (plus one fine mature Sycamore) in south eastern part of the Deer Park; many of the Oaks have suffered significant storm damage
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
2.3 Maple Wood
Woodland plantation along the south facing sloping ground above the river floodplain.
The plantation is dominated by mature Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) of mostly
upright, slender form; indicative of contemporaneous establishment. Many of the
Maple trees have sustained significant storm damage over the years and numerous trees
have poorly structured unions/forks that may be liable to failure. There are small
numbers of other tree species present, mostly in the southern fringe of the woodland,
some of these are quite prominent, especially the Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Abies spp trees. There is a very large mature Common
Lime (in apparently good condition) at the far southwestern corner of the wood. Other
species present in small numbers include Larch (Larix spp.), Common Oak and Sycamore.
There has been some recent under‐planting of young trees in the eastern half of the
wood. A number of trees along the northern edge of the wood have been subject to
pruning works of varying severity, presumably to reduce shading/overhang effects on
the neighbouring housing estate.
Overall, the woodland is an important and well‐known feature in the local landscape.
Photo 6. Maple Wood on the sloping ground north of the flood plain ‐ note semi‐mature Maple
avenue along footpath. The foreground is planted with young Oak and Birch
2.4 Castle Lands
Sloping land north of the river flood plain to the east of Maple Wood. This area has been
cleared and re‐planted with a mixture of young Oak and Birch in recent times. Many of
the pre‐existing semi mature Willow (Salix spp.) bushes have produced fresh growth
from the cut stumps following the earlier clearance works. There are a small number of
old trees (Lime & Horse Chestnut) spaced along the top of the bank; the species and
form of these trees indicate that they are remnant parkland trees. Some of these old
trees are now dead standing. Browsing of the young trees (presumably by mammals
such as Rabbits, Hares, and Deer) is quite widespread.
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 5
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Photo 7. Young trees planted onto the south facing slope of the Castle Lands, with old mature Lime and Horse Chestnut trees (including several dead trees) along the upper part of the bank 2.5 River Walk The River Walk extends along the river flood plain to the east and west of the road bridge, and follows the western edge of the railway embankment, from the river bank northwards. East of the R620 road bridge, a series of connected footpaths provide a looped trail across the river flood plain. Twin rows of semi‐mature Norway maple (with some Ash) have been established along much of the path network; most of these Maples are well established and are in fairly good physiological condition, however, many have potentially weak unions as the stems fork into scaffold limbs, and some have been impacted by flood debris. Significant areas of the former pasture has been recently planted with densely stocked young Oak and Birch trees (many of which have been browsed by mammals). Two tributary channels cross through the alluvial plain to the River Blackwater, both are lined with semi‐mature and early mature trees including Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Sycamore, Ash and Poplar (Populus spp.). These linear features have been subject to some recent coppicing and re‐spacing works. A narrow strip of riparian woodland follows the majority of the riverbank; this is mostly Ash, Willow, Sycamore and Alder, but includes some Poplar at the far eastern end of the walk. The riparian tree cover is interrupted on either side of the R620 road bridge, and then continues along the river bank up to the Railway bridge at the far western end of the survey area. The public foot‐path continues up and around to the west of the railway track, where secondary woodland made up of Ash, Sycamore, Willow, Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Alder, Poplar and Holly (Ilex aquifolium) covers the sloping railway embankment; an established hedge made up mostly of Ash and Hawthorn follows the western side of the footpath.
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
Photo 8. Twin rows of semi‐mature Norway Maple trees that have been established alongside
many of the public footpaths on the river walk
Photo 9. Multi‐stemmed Willow bushes, Ash, Alder and Hawthorn along the river bank towards
the western end of the river walk
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 7Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Photo 10. Footpath heading north alongside the railway embankment. Thick secondary woodland comprised mostly of Ash, Sycamore and Alder covers the sloping embankment 2.6 Kitchen Garden The area to the north of the access road to the baronial mansion includes a species mixture and structure indicative of a former garden. The area includes some remnant fruit trees (Malus and Prunus) and sections of unmanaged hedging (Beech and Box Buxus sempervirens) as well as some more recently established Birch along the northern edge of the property. The Beech hedging is now heavily overgrown and has been badly impacted by livestock gnawing of the lower stems. The eastern edge of the old garden contains a mature Beech in fair condition and two Ash trees in poor condition, with several mature Sycamore and Ash make up a length of hedge to the west of the northern entrance gate; several of these Ash and Sycamore are in poor physiological and/or structural condition. There is an old Poplar in poor condition next to one of the internal boundary walls. Dense Cherry suckering forms a linear group along the southern edge of the garden. This part of the estate has been largely neglected for many years and much of the old garden has become overgrown as management has lapsed and natural regeneration has colonised the untended areas.
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
Photo 11.Remnant fruit trees and neglected hedges in old garden area north of the baronial
mansion
Photo 12 Remnant Beech hedging, now overgrown and badly damaged by bark gnawing
2.7 Spa House
The grounds of Spa House include a substantial area of deciduous woodland that covers
the sloping ground to the east and north of the old house. The woodland is mostly early
mature Sycamore and Ash closer to the house, with several larger old mature Beech and
mature Oak and Sycamore to the north. The older Beech have a mostly semi‐
mature/early mature Sycamore and Ash understorey. The woodland is highly visible
from the public highway and is a significant landscape feature in the locality. There is a
mature Oak tree in poor condition next to the entrance drive. The small public open
space to the south of Spa House includes three mature Beech trees on the bank and
several semi‐mature Maple and Ash in the south‐western corner.
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 9Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review Photo 13 Oak tree next to the driveway into Spa House, with mixed deciduous woodland along the sloping bank behind the house and further to the north 2.8 Town Park Town Park is a public amenity area covering a large part of the broad river floodplain west of the R620 road bridge. The northern part of the park (to the south of the N72) is bordered by a narrow, linear tree group made up mostly of Norway Maple, but also includes smaller numbers of Lime, Birch, Ash, Alder and Oak. These trees are almost all early‐mature in age class and appear to be in reasonable condition. The tree‐line forms an attractive and functional landscape screen between the road and interior of the park. The park contains two sports pitches, with the pitch occupying the central region being almost completely enclosed by a linear planting of mature Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). The Monterey Cypress trees have been re‐enforced with Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) in places, but gaps have been left by tree failures and removals over time. Many of the large Cypress trees (approximately 20m in height) have sustained significant storm damage to branching in the tree crowns and remain vulnerable to further damage in future storms. Overall condition of the Cypress trees is poor, with many suffering from dieback associated with Coryneum Canker (Seiridium cardinal). The Cypress trees are quite prominent in the local landscape, however they are now of limited and diminishing amenity value. Three mature Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica') trees are located in the south‐western corner of the sports ground enclosure. The western boundary area of the park is marked by a long row of mature Lombardy Poplar trees running north‐south, just inside the park. A tree‐line/hedgerow of mature and early mature Ash, Hawthorn and Sycamore runs parallel to the Poplars, to the west of the small watercourse.
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
Photo 14. Mixed tree group inside the boundary wall of Town Park, viewed from the southeast
Photo 15. Southern section of the Monterey Cypress trees surrounding the sports pitch in Town
Park viewed from the west
Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 11Mallow Castle Tree & Woodland Review 3 COMMENTS The areas around the old castle buildings and within the deer park contain the oldest and most significant individual trees within the study area. Many of these trees are of high heritage, landscape and conservation value. Few of the younger trees around the castle gardens are of a species and location that would seem to blend with or match the older garden structure or layout. The woodland on the grounds of Spa House and the Maple Wood in the eastern part of the estate are different in character and origin, however, both are very important woodland features in the landscape. Active management of these woodlands (Maple Wood in particular) appears limited. Many of the parkland trees are in poor condition and do not appear to have been subject to active management in recent times. Few or no new parkland trees seem to have been planted to replace those that have died. Grazing of the parkland pasture around the old trees appears to rather intense. Self‐sown Ash and Sycamore trees are slowly contributing to the collapse of parts of the old stone walls along the southern edge of the deer park. The old garden area north of the mansion is neglected and underused part of the property. The strip of native riparian woodland along the north bank of the River Blackwater is largely intact and is a valuable habitat and landscape resource. Some of the recent tree planting on the river flood plain and along the path network would seem to be at odds with the historic landscape and ecological character of the area. I would question the wisdom of establishing extensive dense woodland plantations across the (regularly flooded) flood plain and between the well‐used footpaths. The Maple avenues may prove problematic to manage in future years and do not seem to fit into the landscape. The new tree planting along the sloping Castle Grounds is laudable however the species mix and planting density could be in contrast to the neighbouring woods and historic parkland landscape. The Monterey Cypress tree‐line around the sports pitch on Town Park is in poor condition and will only deteriorate in the coming years. It is now of limited value.
Mallow Castle
Tree & Woodland Review
4 RECOMMENDATIONS
Carry out a detailed review and survey of the significant older trees around the castle
gardens, grounds and deer park. Use the data collected to develop a management plan
for the trees on the estate, involving garden heritage specialists, landscape architects
and arborists.
Prepare a plan of operations that will help preserve and improve the heritage landscape
around the castle site; this will include remedial tree surgery, tree felling and significant
new specimen tree planting.
Ensure that the important trees on the site are fully taken into account by all
stakeholders on the property, such as during any plans to re‐develop any parts of the
site and how the parkland is farmed for example.
Give serious consideration to the complete removal of the Monterey Cypress tree group
around the pitch in Town Park. Explore replacement options where appropriate.
Review the planting schemes on the flood plain and along the network of footpaths and
fully assess the long‐term implications of the planting scheme on the function of the
flood plain and the significant changes it will impose on the views and transparency of
the trail network.
It may be worth considering concentrating any new tree planting on the flood plain to
the areas along the tributaries and river bank, and only in small clusters across the
floodplain itself. Priority should be given to tree species that will do well in the site
conditions and that will contribute good and long term amenity and conservation value.
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