Following the removal of the Beech in Cotham, we’ve been in discussion with Bristol City Council regarding the proposed removal of four Ancient or Veteran trees in Redland Green Park. Our latest emails are below:

From: Vassili Papastavrou

Sent: 23 April 2008 08:01
To: 'Russell Horsey'
Cc: Bristol City Council Parks Department and Bristol Parks Forum
Subject: Ancient trees in Redland Green and reply to yours regarding the removal of the beech tree in Cotham Gardens
Importance: High

 

Dear Russell,

 

We are in receipt of your email dated 21 April 2008.  As you know we have pushed for over a year for a consultation process prior to the removal of trees, rather than justification post facto as below.  We are coming to the conclusion that it will be necessary to test our opinion that the complete lack of consultation by Bristol City Council is illegal under law.  That it is also not conducive to good community relations was highlighted by many speakers at the inaugural meeting of the Street Tree Forum.

 

We thank you for your photographs.  We can also provide photographs - both of cross sections of apparently healthy trees being removed (in Bristol), and of efforts to retain trees (outside Bristol) that do have problems but are thought to have value.  We've enclosed one such example (not taken in Bristol) which shows that where there is a will there is often a way.  However, we feel that continuing such discussion on trees that have already been removed is fruitless.  We raised the issue of the retention of the Cotham Gardens beech tree following statements by yourselves that crown reduction was a possible option.

 

The ancient and veteran trees on Redland Green that you had decided to remove represent a much more serious issue as they are a major landscape feature, an important wildlife habitat and pre-date the built environment.  One is 300-400 years old.  We would like again to draw your attention to the Bristol City Council policy to retain ancient trees and the legal obligations regarding protected species such as bats and nesting birds- in this case great spotted woodpeckers which are seen regularly close to the trees.

 

We seek your confirmation by return email that we will have the opportunity to review your report, discuss its findings with our experts and consider the various options of managed retention rather than only be provided with selected information once all the trees have been chainsawed.

 

As we are sure you are aware, managed retention essentially means ensuring any risk is maintained within acceptable levels through options such as removal of branches, decreasing canopy size and regular surveys rather than always simply cutting the trees down.

 

The future for large or old trees in Bristol remains grim under the present regime.  This is of particular concern in the light of the present failure to replace street trees that have been removed and plant trees in new locations, such as on Redland Green Roundabout.  Bristol’s urban canopy cover is decreasing dramatically just when it is needed most: it is fast becoming a city of stumps and empty tree pits.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Vassili Papastavrou

www.BristolStreetTrees.org