Tree Survey

The parks dept recently (late 2012) did a survey of the park trees, with the proposals for work, and we were sent a copy.

Simon and I examined the proposals and as we had some reservations, especially about the amount of 'tidying- up', we emailed Russell, who is the Senior Arboriculturalist for BCC.

You can see Simon's photos of some of the trees to be felled; they are dated 27 Jan 2012.

You can read the emails below.

26.1.12. Hi Russell,

Thanks for the St Andrews Park tree survey report. It makes somewhat depressing reading. One cherry plum and two flowering cherries to be felled. We very much hope there will be plans for replacing these. All three produce spectacular flowering displays, and the cherry plum at the corner entrance by Effingham Road is always guaranteed to provide a beautiful reminder that spring is not far away, when it comes into flower.

A lot of trees need 'lifts'. Could you explain exactly what is involved, when for example, for tree #100040, a London Plane, requires treatment involving a 'lift to 4.5 metres over road, 3 metres elsewhere'?

Many trees seem to be identified for 'removal of dead wood'. I wonder if you could explain on what basis each decision is made? Are the reasons invariably to do with health and safety or simply on the basis of arboriculturalists' general dislike of dead wood per se?

From a biologist's point of view, dead wood while still part of a living tree is an important habitat for a range of invertebrates, particularly certain hoverfly species, like Myathropa florea , a beautiful hoverfly that occurs regularly in our park which breeds in rot holes in trees.

We would be extremely concerned if dead wood was being removed from trees simply to 'tidy up' a tree. Encouraging biodiversity of the park is a priority for Friends of St Andrews Park and we know this is also policy of BCC Parks Department.

Could we also request that some of the felled trunks (or parts of these) and some of the dead wood is retained and stacked in the bottom lowest corner of the park alongside the depot? This will provide valuable habitat, both in terms of food and shelter for many detritivore invertebrates, which will of course in turn provide an attractive source of food for the park's insectivorous birds. If you need one of us to indicate where we mean, we can, given notice, come to the park and point out exactly the site we have in mind.

Best wishes, Simon and Jo FOSAP wildlife coordinators

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27.1.12. Hi Simon,

Crown lifting is the removal of lower branches on trees to get them out of peoples faces and also when adjacent to the highway to stop vehicle strikes. The example you give is left lower over the park for aesthetic reasons.

Yes the removal of deadwood is to stop it falling and hurting people. Where possible deadwood is left for ecological reasons, as are deadwood piles but this is more difficult in formal parks.

I will ask Mike Kiss to liase with you regarding leaving some timber in the park. It has been noted that 3 trees are lost. you need to work with your neighbourhood partnership to identify which parks the neighbourhood would like to see replanted next, and then with Richard Fletcher’s team who will work with us on planting priorities for the city and the parks department for future planting years.

Regards, Russell

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29.1.12 Hi Russell,

Thank you for the tree survey and your responses to our concerns.

Biologist are not, by nature of our calling, in favour of "tidying-up"; however we appreciate that H & S matters, and that park trees do need to be managed for the benefit and safety of all park users.

You raise an interesting distinction between H&S and aesthetic reasons for removal or leaving branches. In the excel file of the survey, this difference was not detailed; we are wondering how many trees are potentially dangerous and how many are (in someone's view) 'unsightly'.

As you know, we value every tree in the park, and take our role as biological conservationists seriously, so it would be useful to meet up with Mike Kiss to find out more about this interesting aspect of park tree management.

We hope that you will take on our particular concerns, especially concerning the removal of dead wood for aesthetic reasons.

Given that the survey has identified some dead wood that you consider needs removal, then we would appreciate it if that wood could, in the first instance, be made available as logs for us to create suitable habitats. This would be in areas that would not be intrusive, one such being behind the depot fence, for example.

We will make a tour of the park, with your survey, and see what is planned. Then, if we have further particular questions or concerns we can get back to you for clarification.

Regards, Jo and Simon

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