Why is the council removing a perfectly healthy tree from Dell Field Close? The removal of trees, in stealth, one by one, is bad for the environment and the residents.

By johnson_caroline at 14:36 on 26/05/10

Re-post

Why is the council removing a perfectly healthy tree from Dell Field Close? The removal of trees, in stealth, one by one, is bad for the environment and the residents.

By johnson_caroline at 14:36 on 26/05/10
Report
So the commuters can park their cars more easily.................!

By a_chilliman at 16:20 on 26/05/10
Report
They should provide more spaces at the station a_chilliman

By BurtBailey at 19:38 on 26/05/10
Report
Getting desperate when they are creating spaces 3/4 of a mile from the station! And how does that explan the trees they have taken down one by one in the spinny near bridgewater school over the last 2 years? When i contacted the town council the only response I got was "there is no obligation for us to notify residents if we only remove a small number of trees" when I asked what a small number was, they didn't respond.

By johnson_caroline at 20:40 on 26/05/10
Report
I contacted a 'Tree Officer' at Dacorum Borough Council yesterday to see if they can answer this question for you Caroline. I'm still waiting for their response.

By LaraKing at 09:22 on 27/05/10
Report
Well, the roots were growing up and around the stem and there was a long bark wound more than a fifth of the way round the stem with visible decay inside rotting the wood. So the tree was doomed! The stump will be removed in due course.
By the way, this is nothing to do with the Town Council - it's a Borough matter.
Hope this is useful!
Nick Hollinghurst

By NHollinghurst at 12:37 on 27/05/10
Report
I've now had a response from Dacorum Borough Council - but looks like Nick Hollinghurst beat me to it! The tree was cut down as part of the Council's Ward Work programme in Berkhamsted Castle Ward. The tree was not healthy, and would have become a safety hazard if left to further decay. Luke Johnson, Tree Officer at DBC. explains: 'At the tree's last inspection, we found several problems. The tree's bark had been severely wounded; the tree had 'girdled roots' growing up around the tree stem, which could effectively cause it to strangle itself; and decay was visible inside the trunk, compromising the strength of the wood.'

By LaraKing at 15:33 on 27/05/10
Report
I find it difficult to believe that all trees removed from the surrounding streets all fall into this category and the others from around Berkhamsted. If the trees really are as sick as stated, then why doesn't the council have a programme to replace the trees it takes down - that way we are not left with barren, impersonal streets? It would help with Carbon emissions too!

By lucynakim at 17:31 on 27/05/10
Report
In May the tree preservation officer told LaraKing the stumps would be removed. Its now August, they are still there along with the stumps from 4 other trees removed in the surrounding area over 12 months ago. There has been no attempt to replace these trees - only one of which has a stump that showed the tree was unhealthy, and given there remain several dead trees in the street that have not been touched, I have to question the tree officer's information/promises and strategy.
Are other streets in Berkhamsted being equally effected by the ad-hoc removal of trees?

By lucynakim at 12:53 on 15/08/10
Report