Proposed felling of plane tree top of Grove Lane

[sdrs]

And as conferring the most benefit (Healthy, mature trees of this age and size being known to absorb up to 70 times more air pollution than a younger so-called "replacement" specimens)

[pipsky2008]

intexasatthe moment Wrote:

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> Mmm - so damage by removal of tree and heave could

> be more significant than any existing damage

> currently attributed to the tree ?

There are a number of variables with each tree in each situation. Heave is more of an issue with water retentive soils that swell and contract seasonally eg clays. Free draining soils are far more constant and stable seasonally.

The Arboricultural Association recommend that a mature tree in close proximity to a property be part felled to ground level over a period of perhaps 3 years to minimise any such disruption

[sdrs]

If there are grounds to fell the tree, perhaps! In this case, no evidence of a need to fell was ever presented to the handful of residents initially 'consulted', proper procedures were not followed, and there is a very strong case for retaining the tree in the public interest. There is a cracked garden wall which is now finally going to be re-built and the Council will be re-examining the possibility of building out the pavement under the new consultation that Councillors Renata Hamvas and Peter Johnhave have now agreed to. The tree is owned not by individual residents but by the public, to whom it is worth a considerable amount of money under a new valuation system which Southwark has formally adopted. Re what you say about heave and clay soils, you are right of course, soils up here are clay so I imagine the risk of heave attendant on felling such a big tree would be high (which is why I asked the Council about it). It is unclear (from the little we were told) whether subsidence or direct root damage caused the crack to the boundary wall. Either way, clearly the Council has a responsibility to maintain that wall. It has now pledged to meet that responsibility, along with its responsibility to explore ways to preserve the tree for the benefit of the wider community. Peter John is confident that this can be done by building out the pavement around the tree.

[intexasatthe moment]

sdrs - has Southwark said they are not going to remove the tree ? Will preserving depend on Southwark being able to build out around it to provide access for wheelchairs and pushchairs ?

If Southwark decide this is not feasible for some reason - traffic management ,cost - will they go ahead and fell the tree ?

[sdrs]

Peter John emailed me and I quote: "I agree and have asked for any proposed works to be put on hold until we have had an opportunity to investigate all options for the future of these trees."

Traffic management is not an issue . The Highways Department have no grounds to argue that build-outs can't be used here because of residents' parking and sightlines/narrowing the road on approach to the junction. As Eleanor has said in an earlier post, the second reason is undermined by the first - since there are always cars parked here, the sightlines are always potentially obscured and the highway is narrowed anyway by residents' parking spaces. A build-out to provide access for buggies and wheelchairs would be no more obstructive than a parked car or van - in fact, it would be narrower and lower and would if anything improve sightlines. Residents' parking currently extends along both trees at the top of Grove Lane and it would be perfectly feasible to have a build-out in a small portion of the space currently reserved for parking. There is no shortage of parking at the top of Grove Lane - we cannot justifiably object to the loss of a space or two when spaces are in such plentiful supply.

The significant monetary value of the tree having now been highlighted, the Highways Department will be expected to take a much more constructive approach to finding a solution to allow for its retention, as will the Trees Department. Don't forget that the tree is worth far more than the build-out and the wall repairs would cost, put together.

[intexasatthe moment]

Thanks sdrs . Excellent result I think !