Wanton damage to tree

Published: 12 May, 2011

• I LIVE across the road from the recently toppled Indian Horse Chestnut (As trees topple, the Town Hall calls in its own special branch, May 5). 

True, this tree was in the most exposed position, and in need of pruning. But Camden Council, and residents and arboriculturalists should also consider the following: last year, the lowest south-facing branch of this tree was hacked off. There was a layer of wood chippings at the base of it, fresh, roughly sliced-off wood at the junction with the trunk where the branch had been, but no sign of the actual branch on the ground. 

The scar, now porous in places, is visible, as is a deep crack down from its inner edge into the trunk itself, which must have run upwards where the trunk gave way. This was wanton damage. It weakened the tree. I did not call Camden Council because, sadly, I knew what their staple reply would be and I did not think that they would pay any attention to an individual tree.

It would be interesting to know whether any of the many trees which have toppled over in the area in the last few years were similarly previously damaged. Perhaps an inspection is in order. 

The one person who cannot miss suspicious dead branches combined with chippings is the road-sweeper. He should report to his Veolia supervisor, who in turn would report it to Camden’s tree department.

This also calls for vigilance from the residents and any tree experts among them and, obviously, from better work from the council.

NICOLE USIGLI
Aspern Grove, NW3

No accident!

• IT was no “freak accident of nature” that resulted in branches falling off the spreading chestnut tree in Belsize Park, on the corner of Belsize Grove.

It was another example of Camden’s incompetence.

The ground round the base, from where it should be getting its rainwater, is rock hard, domed for run-off and part-covered in Tarmac. All the trees up the road are similarly encased and starved of water. 

When I raised this several years ago I was assured by Camden that although the ground might look rock hard it was in fact nice and porous.

Well now we know it wasn’t. That’s why the trees are finally cracking up. What looked obvious was obvious.

So what does Camden’s tree officer now have to say about this? Did he/she inspect and incorrectly approve the base cover. Or did he/she never inspect? Let’s hear it please.

BARRY FOX
Belsize Grove, NW3