Cutting down of the Cherry Tree Peckham Rye Park

[Hen123]

Some contractors are cutting down the beautiful cherry tree by the junction near Colyton Rd/Forest Hill Rd corner. The one they damaged for the Gala Festival. I don’t remember any signs up about it. There were a couple of locals trying to talk to them but the contractors became quite aggressive and threatening. 

[jazzer]

If the "contractors became quite aggressive and threatening", call the police and report an in progress breach of the peace. 

[alice]

That tree was due to come down before the Gala. It’s now got a 15.02 date for removal. Good. 

[Hen123]

Why is it good? Do you hate trees? 

[alice]

no, of course not, but that tree is dangerous and children do  climb on it

[Jenijenjen]

The weekend fun runners hanging their bags and coats on it at the start of their run can't have done it much good

[Hen123]

They said it had to come down in 2014 for the same reason. Still there. 

[Cyclemonkey]

Ahh yes, that well known cause of tree damage, light running jackets and fleeces.

[fishboy]

I was one of the locals who challenged the workmen, mainly because I presumed it was related to Gala again. Due to this presumption the exchanges were initially heated, but once they had explained the situation we had a reasonable conversation. Another man did come over to have a bit of a rant at them, but left fairly soon having made his objections known. 

When I queried the lack of notice, they said they'd been asked to remove the tree as a matter of urgency due to the high winds - the roots are apparently diseased. However they said the work order had been issued two weeks ago, and couldn't say why there had been no notice attached. They also couldn't produce any work order, or contact details for the person at the council who had issued it. They then agreed to stop work on the removal, put up the requisite notice, and arrange to return in "a couple of weeks".

I tried to call the Tree dept at the council for some clarification, but it went through to an answerphone which was apparently full. I've emailed them to ask what the situation is, and why they aren't more communicative & transparent with these things. My family love & cherish that tree (dubbed "Favourite Tree" by our kids when they could barely talk), if it is diseased & dangerous then it's very sad and we'll have to accept it. But surely the council understand that they really must explain these things fully to prevent misunderstanding, distrust & protest?

  On 28/01/2025 at 13:07, Jenijenjen said:

The weekend fun runners hanging their bags and coats on it at the start of their run can't have done it much good

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To be clear, the issue is with a fungal infection of the roots, so absolutely nothing to do with kids climbing it, runners hanging kit off it etc. etc.

Can we therefore end any persecution of perceived tree damaging parties?

[hpsaucey]

I've emailed Friends of Peckham Rye Park to see if they were aware/know any more about this; in case they don't see this thread. 

HP

[alice]

. My post was considering the damage done to  children climbing on diseased trees 

Edited January 28 by alice
Continuity

[tiddles]

Was it that tree that was clipped by gala contractors last year? Tbh I absolutely have no trust with the tree department when years ago they were unaware of contractors cutting back trees for better access. I’m not anti Gala btw

[malumbu]

I'm glad I am not interrogated doing my job by passers by.  Difficulty I have with this forum is the distrust in Southwark by some.  I expect that Southwark are fairly competent on knowing when trees are diseased and needs to be felled.

[first mate]

It is interesting that it is the same tree Gala 'reduced' because I believe it interfered with their perimeter fencing. Gala are proposing an increased footprint and extended event, this year. Is this tree possibly in the way?

 

[tiddles]

Hmmmm

[alice]

Some very weird conspiracy type theories developing. 

[joseph holly]

For me, this all started back in 2013 when I saw a notice on this tree which has always been a landmark and favourite in Peckham Rye Park. Local residents saved it then and it has gone on to flower beautifully  every year since then. People love it, it’s beautiful in all seasons (see photos). It’s had to put up with the vandalism inflicted on it by the setting up for the Gala festival last year, in order to make way for the horrendous Berlin Wall that now appears annually. Too much of a coincidence that this tree was ‘in the way’ last year and suddenly is in dire need of felling this year, before Gala swallows up even more of our park. Could it be that all about the money?

Edited January 30 by joseph holly

[NewWave]

  On 28/01/2025 at 13:48, alice said:

. My post was considering the damage done to  children climbing on diseased trees 

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But surely climbing trees is'nt a particulary safe thing for a child to do..They could fall get scratches, cuts etc?

[mima08]

So the contractors have cut some branches off already (see pics) and there is no notice on the tree or area. Someone up thread mentioned the contractors said they would put one up.

 

I am no expert but noticed that the tree seems to be covered in new buds - not really a sign of a tree with deceased roots?

I picked up a twig from the ground and saw the buds are green inside as is underneath the twig bark - more likely to be signs of live? Again, I'm no expert but some of the comments above indicate this has been a longstanding wrong diagnosis? 

[alice]

There was a notice on it. Someone has clearly removed it. Whether or not a tree is unsafe is not evidenced by buds but by experts  who have examined the tree.

[mima08]

  On 29/01/2025 at 13:35, alice said:

There was a notice on it. Someone has clearly removed it. Whether or not a tree is unsafe is not evidenced by buds but by experts  who have examined the tree.

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Good to know that there was a notice -it was not there today at 12.30 ish. 

Not sure why someone would want to remove it?

As for the expert assessment, I am just highlighting that it seems to have been misdiagnosed back in 2013 and it could simply be an error based on that diagnosis.

[d walker]

I spoke to the Chair of FoPRP today,  apparently it was a misunderstanding,  the contractors were meant to be removing another tree, not this one!! So I'm glad locals/park users did intervene and interrogate them as otherwise a perfectly healthy tree ( as people have noted) would no longer be there!!! Bad things happen when good people do nothing!

 

I also attended the Gala meeting and spoke with their representatives about the damage they inflicted on this tree to erect their hoarding last year.  They were contrite and acknowledged it was a big mistake and that it would not be repeated.

[joseph holly]

Thank you to fishboy and the other locals who rightly challenged the contractors! We're all lucky that you happened to be in the park at that time. This beautiful tree is worth fighting for. It has now survived two misguided attempts to fell it, the first in 2013 and the second in 2025. The actions of local residents have saved it on both occasions. Let's hope it hasn't been too damaged this week so that we can all continue to enjoy its beauty. 

[alice]

[d walker]

  On 29/01/2025 at 21:41, alice said:

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This notice was put on the wrong tree, apparently it is another tree that is due to be felled.

I also echo well done to those people who intervened,  thank goodness you were around and took action!