Consultation about a Diseased Tree outside 5a Thornsett Road

We want to let you know about the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) outside 5a Thornsett Road.

Our tree specialists have found that the tree has a disease called Sooty Bark. This disease causes trees to decline and eventually die. As the tree is in decline, it may only remain safe as a street tree for a short time.

Thornsett Road is also part of a wider improvement project. Road resurfacing has been delayed because it is difficult to work safely around the existing trees.

A working group has now been set up to look at the best options. This group includes members of the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership, NESST (Nether Edge and Sharrow Sustainable Transformation), local councillors, council officers and independent engineers.

As the sycamore tree may only be safe for a short period, the working group agreed that residents should be involved before any designs progress further. We would like to understand what matters most to you.

You can choose between two options:

  • Remove the tree now and replace it
  • Keep the tree for a short time.

If the tree is kept, engineers would need to build a permanent structure around it so the road resurfacing can still go ahead. This may reduce the amount of on‑street parking.

If the tree is removed, we plan to replace it with a European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). We will try to plant the new tree in the same location, although this may not be possible if there are underground pipes, cables or unsuitable ground conditions.

Our tree inspectors recommend the European hornbeam because it grows well on streets in this area. However, we welcome suggestions from residents if you would prefer another suitable species.

More information about the European hornbeam is provided below, taken from The Tree Species Selection for Green Infrastructure: A Guide for Specifiers, which can also be found here: tdag_treespeciesguidev1.3.pdf

Please note: this consultation is only about the future of this specific sycamore tree. You will receive separate information about the resurfacing plans for Thornsett Road.


We want to let you know about the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) outside 5a Thornsett Road.

Our tree specialists have found that the tree has a disease called Sooty Bark. This disease causes trees to decline and eventually die. As the tree is in decline, it may only remain safe as a street tree for a short time.

Thornsett Road is also part of a wider improvement project. Road resurfacing has been delayed because it is difficult to work safely around the existing trees.

A working group has now been set up to look at the best options. This group includes members of the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership, NESST (Nether Edge and Sharrow Sustainable Transformation), local councillors, council officers and independent engineers.

As the sycamore tree may only be safe for a short period, the working group agreed that residents should be involved before any designs progress further. We would like to understand what matters most to you.

You can choose between two options:

  • Remove the tree now and replace it
  • Keep the tree for a short time.

If the tree is kept, engineers would need to build a permanent structure around it so the road resurfacing can still go ahead. This may reduce the amount of on‑street parking.

If the tree is removed, we plan to replace it with a European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). We will try to plant the new tree in the same location, although this may not be possible if there are underground pipes, cables or unsuitable ground conditions.

Our tree inspectors recommend the European hornbeam because it grows well on streets in this area. However, we welcome suggestions from residents if you would prefer another suitable species.

More information about the European hornbeam is provided below, taken from The Tree Species Selection for Green Infrastructure: A Guide for Specifiers, which can also be found here: tdag_treespeciesguidev1.3.pdf

Please note: this consultation is only about the future of this specific sycamore tree. You will receive separate information about the resurfacing plans for Thornsett Road.


Page last updated: 04 Feb 2026, 09:51 AM