Harringay tree cull - council reply

Following this alert from HOL admin about an impending tree cull in the ladder area I contacted Clare Pappalardo, Senior Arboricultural & Allotments Officer at the council for more details. I've attached an excel doc Clare provided giving the reason for the impending removal of each tree on the list. The very useful email reply is as follows;

Thank you for your email

Please see the attached list for details of tree removals (Road, location, species and reasons). Of the trees specified for removal, 11 are dead and fungal fruiting bodies have been identified on 18 more.  

It is the council’s normal practice to leave a tree pit vacant for 12-18 months after the removal of a tree to allow the tree matter in the soil to decay.

Subject to funding we aim to prioritise 4 different wards each year for replacement and new tree planting. The Harringay ward is next scheduled to be targeted in the 2013/14 planting season. There is a commitment within the Council Plan to plant at least 150 new trees a year and we would seek to plant some new trees in Harringay Ward as part of this commitment.

In the meantime should there be an interest resident groups can apply for funding for new trees through the Forestry Commissions ‘Big Tree Plant’ scheme (see link)  http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/index.html

Between 2004 and 2011, a total of 124 street trees were removed from the ladder roads (31 were removed during the last planned work programme in summer 2008), but 308 new trees were planted during this period. Therefore, we have increased the local street tree population by 184 trees.

The choice of tree species is dependent on location and local landscape character. The selection of street trees is guided by their mature size, water demand, crown shape and future management requirements.

The following criteria are considered essential for species selected for street tree planting in close proximity to built structures.

• low water demand
• non-aggressive root system
• small or compound leaves
• upright form
• tolerant to urban stress and pollution
• small fruits

Examples of species selected for street tree planting:

• Broad-leaved Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus X prunifolia)
• Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus x lavalleei)
• Crab Apple (Malus trilobata)
• Field maple (Acer campestre 'Elsrijk')
• Flowering Cherries (Prunus Accolade, P. incisa 'Louisa Leo', P. umineko)
• Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis Jacquemontii)
• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna, C. monogyna 'Stricta')
• Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
• Maidenhair tree (Gingko biloba)
• Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata 'Pauls Scarlet')
• Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer')
• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia, S. 'Sheerwater Seedling’, S. x thuringiaca 'fastigiata')
• Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
• Small leaved Lime (Tilia cordata 'Greenspire')
• Snowy mespil (Amelanchier arborea 'Robin Hill')
• Stone Birch (Betula ermanii)
• Swedish Whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia 'Brouwers')
• Whitebeam (Sorbus aria 'Lutescens')

Regards

Clare Pappalardo
Senior Arboricultural & Allotments Officer
London Borough of Haringey