Hewitt Road Cherry tree to be cut down outside 66 -68..

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 24, 2008 at 18:01

Barbara, I wonder if it would be worth your mailing "The Manager", asking for three things:

1. A copy of the report recommending its removal.
2. A copy of Haringey's policy on tree removal / maintainence.
3. How you can appeal the decision.

Also have you mailed our councillors? They should be made aware and their support sought.

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on July 24, 2008 at 18:18

Hugh, this was posted twice. I replied on one post

So the tree is opposite you... what happened to a tree "opposite" us is that the person living opposite us asked the council to cut it down. The note on the tree said that it was rotten and in danger of falling down. It was not at all rotten, of course.

And you replied on this one. I was sort of trying to make the point that one person's lovely cheery tree is another person's unwanted shade.

Permalink Reply by RuthE on July 24, 2008 at 18:26

Several trees in Seymour have the same notices, they can't all have the same disease can they?

Permalink Reply by Anette on July 25, 2008 at 11:25

I noticed that on Seymour too, on the really beautiful one outside no 78 it says it's damaging nearby properties. Shame, because when it's gone I will have a clear view of the baby-poo, whoops, browny-peach coloured house opposite. :(

Permalink Reply by Michelle Lacy on July 24, 2008 at 22:26

Hi Barbara
I've also sent in an objection....asking for a replacement cherry tree if it goes. It's the most beautiful tree in the street and I'd be very sad to see it disappear!
Michelle

Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 25, 2008 at 9:41

Folks, I have sent a mail on behalf of HoL to our local councillors. I will let you know of the outcome.

Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 25, 2008 at 10:24

I should make it clear that the mail explained that several members on the site have expressed disquiet. So when I wrote above "on behalf of HoL", I guess that should have said "on behalf of the HoL members who'd expressed concern".

Here's the short mail in its entirety:

Dear Councillors,

Several members of Harringayonline have expressed great concern at the planned removal of apparently health trees – so far we are aware of trees in Hewitt and Seymour that are affected. These trees are a great amenity to the area and it is a real shame to let them go for apparently no good reason. Are you able to let me know why they are being removed and potentially help us challenge their removal?

BR

Hugh

Permalink Reply by Michelle Lacy on July 25, 2008 at 17:48

Just had a look at the cherry tree outside 66 Hewitt Road and it does appear to have a patch of white/cream stuff at the base on the side away from the road...so there may be fungus! Hopefully if it has to be removed, they will replace like for like.

Permalink Reply by Philip on July 26, 2008 at 10:42

I just wanted to add a different perspective to this discussion.

The cherry tree outside our house was removed a couple of months ago, as it was causing subsidence to our house, and our neighbours' houses. Apparently, a combination of the clay soil and the very thirsty cherry tree caused the ground to become very dry and properties to slip. After a couple of letters from our respective insurers to the council, the tree was removed.

It was a beautiful tree, and in many ways it was a shame to see it go. However, the appearance of big ugly cracks around the front of our house made me feel a good deal less sentimental about it.

I have no idea if there really are good reasons for the removal of all of the cherry trees from the Ladder. All I can say is that the inspector that the insurance company sent around to look at the damage to our house felt that in retrospect, it was inappropriate to plant cherry trees on clay soil so close to properties.

Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 29, 2008 at 12:27

Here's my reply from Clare Carter in my response to what will replace the trees to be removed:

Hugh,

There are 52 new trees being planted in the ladder roads this forthcoming planting season. The allocation is as follows:

Sydney Road 3
Frobisher Road 4
Fairfax Road 8
Beresford Road 3
Allison Road 8
Hewitt Road 1
Seymour Road 2
Warham Road 1
Pemberton Road 6
Mattison Road 6
Cavendish Road 8
Umfreville Road 1
Lothair Road North 1

We have planted 205 new trees in the ladder roads over the last few years. This has increased the overall tree population. There are still some roads which require further planting and this is being addressed over the next planting seasons. To achieve an even balance of trees ideally you would have approx 20 trees in each road, however some roads currently have more than this allocation specifically Burgoyne Road which was historically planted as a lime avenue. There are of course some exceptions where the roads are much shorter and do not require this allocation.

The species we are currently planting are Amelanchier, Rowan, flowering Cherry, Hawthorn, Cockspur thorn.

These are species that are suitable for street tree planting and have been successfully planted across the borough. They establish well in the poor rooting environment found beneath the public highway and they also tolerate urban stress and pollution.

The new trees will be small to medium in size when mature, have a low water demand, keep an upright form and have small leaves, which will minimise future nuisance issues. New trees will improve the local environment, providing benefits such as reduced air pollution and shade in the summer months. Street trees provide many social, environmental and economic benefits. Planting new trees helps towards implement government policies on sustainable development, urban renewal, biodiversity and health and well being.

Regards

Clare Carter
Arboricultural Officer
London Borough of Haringey

Tel: 020 8489 5774
Fax: 020 8489 5642
Email: clare.carter@haringey.gov.uk

Permalink Reply by Alison P on July 29, 2008 at 12:47

There was an article about this issue in the Observer on Sunday, basically arguing against the removal of so many urban trees. Key stats it mentions are that 400,000 trees were cut down over the last 5 years, and that subsidence was cited in relation to 40% of these. However, according to a GLA report, only 1% of fellings are justified on these grounds, as subsidence is far more complex than this. The full report is here.

Have no idea about the validity of these arguments, though I do instictively dislike seeing so many cut down. But, as Philip says in a previous post, seeing big cracks appear in my walls might well affect my judgement on that.

By the way, some of the trees Clare says they are replanting with are GORGEOUS. I'll have the Amelanchier in Seymour Road please Clare ...

Permalink Reply by Alison P on July 29, 2008 at 20:11

Hi Barbara, glad you had such a helpful reply.

Amelanchier are beautiful trees. I planted a tree in my garden earlier in the year and really wanted one of them, but played safe because I thought it would just be a little bit too big (went for a Rowan in the end).

Some pictures of Amelanchier

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page