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.
There is however, I have found out upon enquiry a bigger programme for tree felling in the name of 'elf & safety' in the area where there has not been any real problem of late as far as I can see with the trees as they are mostly, law abiding sentient beings who tend to mind their own business of demarcating boundaries and protecting the landscape/biodiversity of the area. The same can definitely not be said for the 'elf and safety' brigade in general, however.
Never mind the old, 'bats' watch, it may well be time to do the 'elf' watch in the park instead! Anyone interested in the 'elf' watch, feel free to contact me and we can arrange a regular date.
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.