Street trees: when is it time to call time ?

[ed_pete]

Just walked back from DV to Lordship Lane and wandered through the estate on EDG.  There's a tree surgeon pruning the trees there (council funded for sure) and it just seems a bit bizarre as the stumps that are left are far from attractive. I would that thought that replacement was what was really needed here. Appreciate that funds are tight but really is there not a better option ?
 

[CPR Dave]

They'll look fine when they grow back in the spring. 

The trees that should be removed are the female gingko biloba trees that are randomly dotted about the area. These produce hundreds of fruit that contain the putrid smelling butyric acid (the same chemical that is found in vomit and rancid butter). 

The smell of these tress is absolutely vile and it lingers for months on end every year. There's one at the North Cross Road end of Ulverscroft road and it's huge and stinky.

 

I think they should be considered a public health hazard and should all be cut down.

[malumbu]

Pollarded.  Standard thing to do.

[ed_pete]

I get that they're being pollarded. This estate was built in the 60's and so I'm guessing that they're around 60 years old.  Nothing wrong with that but even when they re-grow they're hardly going to be the most attractive. Y'know just musing on improving the look of our public spaces.

 

[Mabaker]

I guess the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I think trees laid bare without their clothes on always look attractive to me 

[Earl Aelfheah]

It's just the type of tree. That is what they look like

Edited yesterday at 15:54 by Earl Aelfheah

[ed_pete]

9 minutes ago, Earl Aelfheah said:

It's just the type of tree. That is what they look like

Once someone has constantly loped of all the branches. 🙂

[Dulwichway]

Councils love a chainsaw!

[Jellybeanz]

7 hours ago, CPR Dave said:

They'll look fine when they grow back in the spring. 

The trees that should be removed are the female gingko biloba trees that are randomly dotted about the area. These produce hundreds of fruit that contain the putrid smelling butyric acid (the same chemical that is found in vomit and rancid butter). 

The smell of these tress is absolutely vile and it lingers for months on end every year. There's one at the North Cross Road end of Ulverscroft road and it's huge and stinky.

 

I think they should be considered a public health hazard and should all be cut down.

Agree, plus disgusting to step on the mush

[CPR Dave]

Some poor person's car was buried under it last year! 

I think I'd have just abandoned that if it was mine and started again with a new vehicle. 

[malumbu]

Gosh trees producing fruit, whatever next.  You don't want to park under an elderflower when in fruit, if the fruit does get you the birds poo is purple.

[Twoddle]

When I were a lad there used to be climbing trees all over the place. I used to have multiple places to exercise and do pull ups on low tree branches when I moved here. Those spots have all gone, so bad for mental health. Leave the damn trees alone, they have rights and give us oxygen to boot.

[Nigello]

Trees are great - I plant and raise my own and petition the council to look at damaged specimens and plant more - but they need to be tended to when they’re in non-woodland spaces. I encourage all those who have a strong liking for trees to plant them, grow from seed etc. - much better for all than tapping on keypads. 

[ianr]

On 09/01/2025 at 12:14, CPR Dave said:

The smell of these tress is absolutely vile and it lingers for months on end every year. There's one at the North Cross Road end of Ulverscroft road and it's huge and stinky.

Sounds worth an excursion.  Thanks.

Edited 4 hours ago by ianr
Expand avoidance

[CPR Dave]

Just a note of caution for you Nigello - trees planted too close to houses can cause terrible problems with subsidence.

[Moovart]

15 minutes ago, CPR Dave said:

Just a note of caution for you Nigello - trees planted too close to houses can cause terrible problems with subsidence.

Unless they are London Planes planted by the council in Lordship Lane in which case the usual concerns about trees next to foundations don't seem to apply!