Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Felling of ancient trees planned in Ally Pally Park
This from Anastasia Christofis in our inbox this evening:
Two old oak trees in Alexandra Park are destined for the chop (see pics). The one in The Grove has a diameter of 4-5 feet. This tree was one of the boundary markers of The Grove Estate in the 18th century with Tottenham Wood. I don’t know the time scale of this.
Apparently there has been a tree survey done but no one has seen it as it has not been made public.
The Park Manager/Planners, I am told (on the grapevine) have apparently nodded it through on the basis of this survey without any further planning application/consultations/wider consent as is now becoming common practice in the Grove Historic gardens and other areas of the Palace (as you know, it is Conservation Area, subject to Local and National Legislative frameworks with regard to Conservation/Biodiversity, amongst other things and on the Charity Trust land with buildings of the People of London and of interest to me and others as such, so much so in fact some people are up in arms about it already, amongst other things, which is how I have got wind of it).
BBC’s Springwatch scientists recently found rare protected beetles nesting and rare fungi in Alexandra Park which like to live in old ancient woodland trees and decayed wood.
More importantly, can you please help me to find out more about who in this Borough is responsible for safeguarding/protecting these trees and where to obtain copy of this Tree Survey
The Stag Beetles are not the only rare species to be found nesting amongst the rare Bolitius Fungus at Alexandra Palace. There are many other rare species that are reliant and a part of the biodiversity of this area and as a rare old bird, like many of you, I consider myself to be one of them, though no less unconsidered in the past than the recently rediscovered varieties.
I would like to be reassured that our oxygen levels will not be further diminished in this area of poor air quality (Haringey) by the unnecessary culling of trees.
Can somebody get back to me on this and help to put a stop to it in principle (genuine safety considerations excepted, like if a tree is actually caught or threatening vandalism in the park or GBH/ABH, for example) and hopefully copy of the Tree Survey should confirm this.
Those of you interested in this story may also be interested in the Tree Trust for Haringey.
Tags for Forum Posts: alexandra park, parks, trees
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by anastasia on
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Todays update on the Ally Pally tree situaton: following on from what Susan C said about the survey reports released this week by the Park Manager Mr Mark Evison;
There are three (trees), two Oaks and one Poplar.
Two can be saved and observed, only one, according to the arboriculturalists report, actually needs to be felled to ground level. This one is also between two other large trees and is by the playground.
One by the boating lake cafe can be saved entirely by pollarding and observing.
The one in the Grove can be reduced to a totem or monolith so does NOT need felling to ground level.
All the arboriculturalists reports are based on ground level observation and measurements from a 'sonic decay detector'. They also stated that they did not know whether the trees were subject to a tree preservation order which worried me.
You will all be pleased/relieved to know that the Tree Trust For Haringey have been out this morning to have a good look at the trees in question along with a Ham & High photographer and they (TTFH) have offered to fund a second opinion by a veteran tree specialist and possibly an environmental survey (bless them). They mentioned that the Oak tree in the Grove may well be a habitat for the bats in the area and that the oak tree in the childrens playground had the signs of woodpecker habitat which could present real issues for wildlife in the area if the trees/canapy is lost.
No one was disputing there may be decay inside these old trees as the sonic decay detector in the original survey suggests, only what might be the best method of tree management in each case to try to preserve the life of the tree/wildlife, whilst taking the Health & safety considerations into account on behalf of the Park users. Interestingly, they found at least one other Oak in the childrens play area that posed a greater risk to the Health & Safety of park users than the ones earmarked for the chop and even asked a family group not to sit underneath it because they were so concerned. Not sure what was said about the Poplar as of yet but I understand there is to be an article in the Ham & High this week about their findings, so look out for it.
After all that has been said and done I have to just say that the Park was looking glorius in the sunshine this morning. Despite the discussion about the felling of trees, landscaping, funding, planning and what not, the Alexandra Park land is noticeably much improved overall.
I would go so far as to say some areas are outstanding in their charm and beauty while inevitably some areas still need a little more mindful and sustainable thinking, moving with the times, naturally. Credit where credit is due to the Park Manager, Green Flag status and all.
Managing 196 acres of Trust land on behalf of the People of London can be no easy task and there are bound to be sensitive problems like the veteran tree issue, every now and again. I do hope that by sharing the problem with a wider circle of people and experts, a more sustainable solution is found that is acceptable to all including the wildlife.
We really do need the shade of the trees on hot days like this, I noticed the earth was parched and cracked in more exposed areas which reminded me of that hot summer drought of '76.
Equally we will need the trees roots to stop the earth being washed away in the rain come the floods.
A fresh drinking water fountain for the General Public would not go amiss here and there, a walk in the Park becomes thirsty work on a day like this.
Still not sure what is to be done about applying Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) to Ally Pally, apparently it can apply to individual trees or whole wooded areas, so still looking into the merits of this.
I wonder how they manage things over in Queens, Highgate and Coldfall Woods and if they have any TPOs in place? They are Woods with real presence that must have their fair share of Health & Safety issues with regard to their veteran trees.... maybe we can try to find out?
Don't know if the Tree Trust is taking part in the Urban Tree Survey by the Natural History Museum but will suggest it to them and the Palace General Manager or Park Manager when I get the chance.
Its good to take stock of our trees, we need all the lungs we can get around here or we will all be reaching for the asthma pumps more than just occasionally, like so many of our kids.
....Try to get hold of the Ham & High article this week and we'll see what the coming days bring...lets hope for the best, before we have to call in the tree stump sculpters, (liked the pictures though, suppose its one way to get horses in the park?!)...ciao for now xx
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