Forum Topic

Council to stop replacing felled trees

I appreciate in these difficult times for the economy and with other serious demands on their resources, councils will have to make some tough decisions. However, ending the policy of replacing trees is a very dangerous road to go down as it could create a profound change in our local environment that would take generations to fix.

Diane Brown ● 9d13 Comments

And indeed I see that this was a story on this site a few days back.https://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=community&link=https://neighbournet.com/server/common/hounscoun739.htm

Bruce Hammal ● 1d

Here's the link to the savings proposal approved by Hounslow's cabinet on 17th December that includes not replacing felled trees to save £20,000: https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s197643/Appendix%20C%20-%20Savings%20Proposals%202025-26%20-%20REVISED%2010.12.24.pdfThis is the background reasoning: https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s197482/One%20Hounslow%20Financial%20Strategy%20Update%20-%20Report%20with%20Appendix%20A%20and%20B.pdf

Joanna Biddolph ● 1d

If you go round St Peter’s square Hammersmith contractors seem to have a much been material and system around the tree base. Ealing contractors are not doing such a good job, it’s time the councils actually spent our money wisely, know what they are doing and check work done by contractors, there should be a clause so if a contractor does a shoddy job they have to redo the work at their expense or lose the contract.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1d

Problem we had was, when Ealing chopped down a large tree outside our house, they planted a new one in the same place, which couldn’t compete with the old buried root system and gave up after a year, despite volunteer watering. It's unfortunate that nearly every remaining mature tree round here has so distorted the pavement and pushed up the kerb that they now pose quite a danger to pedestrians.

Peter Evans ● 1d

Ealing council replaced a tree outside our property and my husband looked after it now we have a rather stunning maple growing. We should have civic pride and the council (stapped for cash] should give the neighbours permission to plant a tree providing a list of acceptable trees. If neighbours clubbed together it wouldn’t be that much and we all get to enjoy the trees.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1d

I can't comment on the veracity of this as council policy, but at a local level a medium sized tree in my street was removed a few weeks ago. It was  mis-shapen but very much alive. I presumed a replacement would be forthcoming since the workers left the tree-pit. I was wrong as not long after another Hounslow team turned up and paved over the area in what appears to be a permanent job. Street trees can be a mixed blessing and certainly the variety needs to be carefully considered. There is a British Standards document dealing with this. It jncludes the line: "a tree planted where it is not wanted is unlikely to thrive". Generally speaking though, one out one in seems to be a desirable aim.

Bruce Hammal ● 1d

An unthinking like for like replacement of trees in residential areas is going to cause problems but the arcade of trees along Chiswick High Road should be managed and protected to ensure it is still there in a decade. It is effectively a heritage asset so perhaps the council could seek other sources of funding to maintain it. If they don't gaps will quickly start to appear that may never be replaced.

Andrew OSullivan ● 1d

Is this actually true?

Paul Campbell ● 2d

The obvious logic of them cutting down and not replacing old and diseased trees will be that we'll eventually have no trees!Time for a rethink.Having said that, when all our Chiswick trees were planted way back when, they were a bit thoughtless as so many of them are so large they block the light into people's homes and seriously obscure and damage the pavement. This suggests a rolling programme of replacing even healthy trees, but I can't see that happening with the present financial restrictions and the general outrage if any tree is cut down.

Peter Evans ● 4d

Wandsworth has a volunteer tree warden scheme which coordinates these efforts including nurturing young trees.https://wandsworthtreewardens.org/

Felicity Caborn ● 4d

Sadly, I know that it is more to do with the number of new trees that don’t survive the first year.The Council need to take a different approach.  When a tree pit needs a new tree, the neighbours should be notified (just a postcard through the door) asking people to pour a bucket of water over the roots over the summer months. It would also be nice if the new tree was labelled so we know what to expect. Last year they put in 2 London Plain trees.  They grow fast and tall but are problematic because our pavements are fairly narrow and the front gardens not wide so in 10 years time they will be taking light from the windows, the leaves which are very slow to break down will  be blocking roof gutters and the roots will be encroaching on front gardens lifting paths and so on.  Elliot Road and Abinger Road know to their cost.  They are wonderful on Chiswick back Common.  The right Hornbeam, white beam, red variety of horse chestnuts all do well amongst others. Most of my neighbours love the trees and are prepared to help look after them, some don’t and constantly bug the tree department but the right tree is almost always accepted.

Elizabeth Ross ● 8d

“ as it could create a profound change in our local environment that would take generations to fix.”Historically it’s what Labour Councils are very good at. Ruining and destroying.

Steve Taylor ● 8d

agree 100%

Davey Harris ● 9d