Beautiful Cherry Blossom Trees - Melbourne Grove

[ed_pete]

Just gorgeous !

[rch]

This was one of my tree projects when I was a councillor.

We did an experiment with two Yoshino trees at the corner of Melbourne and Lytcott (in front of the Urban Orchard), then a Yoshino avenue along Winterbrook (and half of Stradella) in Herne Hill, then Milo Road off Lordship Lane.

I meant to do more along Melbourne, but there were complex residential issues.

[cookie]

I was compelled to take a picture when passing this week.

[CPR Dave]

There are lots dotted about the area. They all look splendid. Nice to see bees buzzing about them too, collecting pollen. Good signs of spring and summer to come.

[zork]

  On 27/03/2025 at 09:12, rch said:

This was one of my tree projects when I was a councillor.

We did an experiment with two Yoshino trees at the corner of Melbourne and Lytcott (in front of the Urban Orchard), then a Yoshino avenue along Winterbrook (and half of Stradella) in Herne Hill, then Milo Road off Lordship Lane.

I meant to do more along Melbourne, but there were complex residential issues.

Expand  

Well many thanks are due to you then! I live right here and watching nearly every passersby stop in awe and smile bring almost as much joy as the blossom itself 

[sunbob]

"corner of Melbourne and Lytcott (in front of the Urban Orchard),"

I didn't know that was an urban orchard. Must go and have a look! 

[rch]

Yes, sunbob, it’s been an Urban Orchard for years… you can read the background on the notice board there. It was basically designed to stop the antisocial behaviour in that space while giving everyone free apples.

Over the years there’s been a neighbourhood gang that goes out and picks all the apples overnight, but I think it’s been slightly better recently, fingers crossed.

[alice]

We used to call that Scrumping. 

[Earl Aelfheah]

  On 28/03/2025 at 09:06, rch said:

Over the years there’s been a neighbourhood gang that goes out and picks all the apples overnight

Expand  

Middle class gang warfare.

[first mate]

I thought those trees were planted on council property. Are the blocks of what were council flats now all privately owned?

[Penguin68]

  On 28/03/2025 at 09:17, alice said:

We used to call that Scrumping

Expand  

Scrumping was theft for personal use, this sounds like wholesale theft, and is despicable in a way that Scrumping wasn't. And Scrumping was commonly for windfalls.

[ianr]

I was under the age of criminal responsibility when I took the goosegogs, m'lud, and it still remains on my conscience.

[Angelina]

No better way of keeping a secret than sharing it on social media.

Expect ALL apples to be stolen by everyone now, and not just the people who live there.

Well done.

[rch]

Yes, that’s council property at the edge of a housing estate. I tried to sort out the inside garden as well, but that got vandalised.

One year I counted approx 2000 apples available, but the orchard hasn’t been maintained properly, so it’s probably diminished now.

It’s really sad raising public money to make things better for a community and then just watch it get trashed… so I’ve given up trying to improve the area now.

[alice]

An outdoor gym would suit the spot

[Sue]

  On 28/03/2025 at 10:38, Angelina said:

No better way of keeping a secret than sharing it on social media.

Expect ALL apples to be stolen by everyone now, and not just the people who live there.

Well done.

Expand  

Careful. You're being sarcastic there. The forum police will be upon you 🤣

  On 28/03/2025 at 12:41, rch said:

Yes, that’s council property at the edge of a housing estate. I tried to sort out the inside garden as well, but that got vandalised.

One year I counted approx 2000 apples available, but the orchard hasn’t been maintained properly, so it’s probably diminished now.

It’s really sad raising public money to make things better for a community and then just watch it get trashed… so I’ve given up trying to improve the area now.

Expand  

The community garden outside Dulwich Hospital, which we and others put a lot of time and effort into raising money for, building and planting,  was trashed by whoever rebuilt the hospital.

Despite their assurances that it wouldn't be. 

I'm not sure which is worse, that or theft/vandalism 😢

Edited Friday at 13:44 by Sue

[first mate]

Both are equally bad, the trashing of the community garden outside the old hospital was awful and loads of work was put into it. Also remember RCH raising funds for fruit trees by the Council flats on Melbourne Grove. Such a shame these things are not better appreciated.

[alice]

Perhaps that wasn’t what everybody wanted. Was there a consultation?

[Kathleen Olander]

  On 28/03/2025 at 12:41, rch said:

Yes, that’s council property at the edge of a housing estate. I tried to sort out the inside garden as well, but that got vandalised.

One year I counted approx 2000 apples available, but the orchard hasn’t been maintained properly, so it’s probably diminished now.

It’s really sad raising public money to make things better for a community and then just watch it get trashed… so I’ve given up trying to improve the area now.

Expand  

That's a shame, I appreciated all the works you did improving the area, especially the tree planting.

[heartblock]

Thank you rch for organising so many great tree planting schemes in East Dulwich, I love the cherry trees in Melbourne…this year no hail storm the day they are in full bloom!