- I entirely support the comments made in the article, and I entirely agree that no town trees should be cut without full consultation with and agreement of people who “live” with the tree. These people should be able to decide that a tree may stay or go and any proposal to cut the tree should include an environmental impact statement (to be made by an independent scientist, who must contact all nearby people as well as the local authority(ies) involved). This assessment must cover what action will be taken to plant a new tree instead of the old one. Only subsidence of a house, identified at a public hearing by informed experts, or of clear danger from death of the tree and the proven threat of falling limbs, should be regarded as proof of the need to cut; and only when all other possiblities have been exhausted. The tree’s right to live should be recognised and it should be allowed to live until it is proved it cannot do so without a clear and demonstrable, quantifiable, danger. Christopher Mathews Dr C P Mathews, Cheselbourne, Dorset Read the rest of this entry »
Total posts 10
Total comments 12
Total comments 12
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- Hello World! - 3 comments
- In defence of the council arboriculturists. Are they doing their best within a limited budget? Is it just the tree (Parks) department’s decision? Are they taking account of all the interests of the community? - 3 comments
- Other messages of general support with Vassili’s original article. Are there any points raised you disagree with? - 3 comments
- Health and Safety/Legal issues – in 2001 the House of Lords ruled in an expensive case for Westminster City Council that they should have chopped down a street tree earlier. They didn’t and had to pay over £500,000 compensation to one property owner plus legal costs. Councils don’t want to get sued…is this what is killing our trees? Individual rights take precedence over public benefit? Is it our paranoia about health and safety? - 1 comments
- The benefits of urban trees….you have mentioned shade in the summer, mitigation of bad weather and flooding, amenity and beauty, wildlife and even house prices (yes evidence shows that leafy areas have a price premium of between 5 to 13%) so property developers hear this just buy a street plant some trees and wait to reap your rewards ! What other benefits are there to leafy streets? - 1 comments
- Bristol Street Trees - BBC Green Room Article - 1 comments
