A MAJOR decision is to be taken next week over what should happen to the oak trees which form the landmark avenue of trees in Theydon Bois.

A report by the City of London - which manages Epping Forest - states that they are in "poor and declining health" with a number of the trees having been felled in the past year.

A report to Monday's Epping Forest and Commons Committee adds: "These essential works are having a significant impact on the landscape value of the avenue. The position is likely to worsen over the next decade."

Eight options over the future management of the trees, which link Loughton Lane to Coppice Row, will be considered by the committee.

The avenue originally consisted of some 62 oaks. However the tree safety work has seen eight trees felled.

The report adds: "The long term prognosis for the avenue is poor. The level of decay or damage present in all trees suggests that at the present rate half the avenue will have to be removed in the next 20 years."

One of the options to be considered is to plant an entire new avenue next to the existing trees. or fell the existing avenue in its entirety and a new avenue established, in thirds or over a six-year period.

Local consultation is set to take place during the winter with a report made to the City of London committee next spring.