[Announce] Fwd: This one

[liz Fenton]

*TREES IN ALEXANDRA GARDENS *


 Insurance companies claim that some of the trees in Alexandra Gardens are
causing cracks in houses near to the park. The council is recommending
major tree works (chop off 70%), to mitigate its liability.


This will be a familiar story to many local residents who in 2010
campaigned successfully, to protect three of the plane trees facing Carlyle
Road that were targeted for exactly the same reasons. Public opposition was
so overwhelming that the council withdrew is proposal to fell/heavily prune
the trees.


Alexandra Gardens is defined by the twenty one plane trees that grace its
front and back edges. The 110 year old trees have an collective amenity and
asset value of over £3.25 million. Nine trees which shelter the play area
for small children are implicated.


Heavy crown reduction is not without risk; the trees become more vulnerable
to infection and it can shorten their life expectancy. While pollarding may
be suitable for street trees it is inappropriate for trees in a park
setting where the natural expectation is for them to have branches.


The appalling visual impact of branchless trees in Alexandra Gardens would
be unavoidable from every aspect. It would devastate the appearance of the
park as a whole, destroy the cohesive beauty of the avenue and reduce the
value of each cut tree by an average of £92,000!


The overall loss of asset value is far greater than the estimated budget
shortfall to keep the trees intact.


There is to be a 'drop-in' / surgery / meeting on Monday 16th February,
3.30-7.30pm at St. Luke's Church Centre (main church space). Alistair
Wilson, Joanna Davies (Interim Tree Officer), councillor Carina O’Reilly
and councillor Mike Todd-Jones will all be there to discuss this issue and
answer questions.


The public consultation period ends on 18th February, it is vitally
important that people write to object to this irrevocably damaging and
short sighted recommendation before then. A strong response is needed if
these trees are to stand a chance.


Write to Green Spaces Manager Alistair Wilson Alistair.Wilson at cambridge.gov.
uk and Executive Councillor Carina O’Reilly carinaoreilly at gmail.com.


The council’s report can be found on the website under Tree Work.