Southwark policy on replacing dead trees in SE22

[Reg Smeeton]

Robin - only just saw your update, that's great news about the trees on Melbourne, thanks for all your efforts on this.

[Penguin68]

The Sunday Times reported that Michael Gove intends to bring in legislation obliging local councils to notify 'close' residents of any intention to remove urban and suburban street trees, and if sufficient (50% of those notified) objections are raised to undertake a full public consultation. I assume that diseased and damaged trees removed for H&S grounds would probably be exempt - I'd also guess this was stimulated by the actions of Sheffield council over the last couple of years, but many London trees seem arbitrarily to be removed as well. Southwark has a better record than some, but, if enacted, this should be good news. The S Times had noted that (under a FoI request), 110,000 trees had been removed by local councils over the last 3 years!

[philosophie]

Thank you for all your work on this - we need trees more than ever with our air pollution, not to mention they brighten up every street. I think the work you're doing is brilliant. That's it, really - just wanted you to know how much it is appreciated. Happy New Year!

[Nigello]

The word "tree" has been sprayed on the pavement on the Upland/Goodrich junction. I hope one gets put there soon. If anyone knows anything more, let us know. Ta

[rollflick]

Southwark has lost more than a thousand street trees over the last few years, see attached. Some roads in ED like Copleston have lost as many as five trees recently. Saplings will take time to grow and in any event are often smaller species as rch has pointed out. This means a growing loss of tree canopy coverage.

The Mayor of London's Environment Strategy includes a target to increase tree canopy coverage across London, which is currently 20%, in recognition of its importance to reduce extreme summer heat, tackle air pollution and improve quality of life. A map of canopy coverage has been produced too:

https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/trees-and-woodlands/tree-canopy-cover-map

Other boroughs like Hackney have ambitious plans to increase canopy to 25% by 2025, through a developing a Public Realm Green Infrastructure Plan. As you can't simply reforest the parks, this requires reallocating some space from car parking for bigger tree pits. While Southwark CPZ consultations appear to be recognising the opportunity to increase street greening, there does not appear to be any borough wide plan or target to increase the tree canopy.

[alex_b]

Robin if you happen to speak to the tree officers there are a number of trees towards the top (Lordship Lane) end of Crystal Palace Road that could do with their basal shoots dealing with. There?s a stump that?s regrowing as a bush as well.

[precious star]

Hi robin, i went past peckham rye, and noticed that the lovely big willow tree has been cut down and the smaller one has been left. It used to look so beautiful. Whats happened ? The one near where the old lido swimming pool was. Also the tree destroyed opposite the chemist on lordship lane, outside the new restarant. Will it be replaced.