Trees cut down in greendaIe

[alice]

That’s what academies do spend money on things that do not directly relate to the education of the children. 
In fact, in this case, I think it would be detrimental - don’t plants reduce CO2 and a school on a busy road needs to maximise that benefit not reduce it

[Angelina]

I think that's the whole point of this thread - highlighting unnecessary and detrimental removal and if it can be avoided

[Sue]

3 hours ago, alice said:

That’s what academies do spend money on things that do not directly relate to the education of the children. 
In fact, in this case, I think it would be detrimental - don’t plants reduce CO2 and a school on a busy road needs to maximise that benefit not reduce it

But without knowing why they were removed, I don't see how we can comment.

Does anybody know the reason?

6 hours ago, Angelina said:

Thanks for your help googling the council responsibilities and being patronising. How lovely of you.

That's certainly cleared up the matter.

 

 I thought Malumbu's post was useful information, given the subject matter of this thread 

I didn't think it was patronising.

[Cancerian]

Well I think it was very patronising Sue! Is nobody allowed to comment on something they see whilst going about their usual business? It was very upsetting to see the school boundaries being ripped apart. 

[malumbu]

Thanks @Sue

Here is the comment I responded to:

"let's have blind faith in our council doing the right thing, with the right considerations for environment, for wildlife and for conservation, or let's not and expect them to be transparent and accountable" 

My point is that you need to let people get on with their responsibilities.  That there are qualified people who are experts in their profession. And if you have an issue contact your ward Councilor.  That is the democratic process.

I did not comment about Dog Kennel Hill School.  But if I was unhappy I would complain to them before going on social media.

Edited Friday at 07:58 by malumbu

[Sue]

11 hours ago, malumbu said:

 

I did not comment about Dog Kennel Hill School.  But if I was unhappy I would complain to them before going on social media.

Yes, it would seem sensible to at least find out the reason for the removal. For all we know the school may intend to replace them with other planting.

Complaining anywhere seems a bit premature at this point, I would have thought.

[alice]

Well, I do stand by my point that sometimes academies can be seen to spend money that does not directly impact the education of  children., removing trees or bushes is one such thing. Maybe they intend to replace them with something far superior but this is all money that could be spent elsewhere that actually benefits learning. 
edit:  of course if they have been removed because they contain poisonous berries that may result in the death of a child I bow my head and apologise. 

Edited Friday at 10:44 by alice

[tiddles]

all the saplings were planted by children so I am pretty sure only safe plants would have been used. 

[van dessel]

On 27/08/2025 at 19:22, malumbu said:

Perhaps just let them get on with their job, their profession?

Although I expect there are a number of experts on this forum who may wish to apply for an aboricultural officer post

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/jobs/arboricultural-officer-sc07537

No no and no.  Community activism (or even just caring) is NOT about keeping you head down, minding your business, and assuming there are Mensa-level experts making infallible decisions based on impeccable advice and in perfect sympathy and harmony with public sentiment. Especially when it's with our money and impacts green space, no matter how trivial it might seem.

The council cuts down way too many trees and never replaces them, there's no urban canopy, trees on my road especially are trimmed to within an inch of their lives so people can send an invoice.

Southwark has a full time tree removal person but no green regeneration person around street trees in particular.  It's like having 25 morgue workers in a hospital but no midwife.  Best gift you can give anyone for the future is to plant a tree today.

[alice]

35 minutes ago, van dessel said:

.  Best gift you can give anyone for the future is to plant a tree today.

Southwark planted over 5000 trees last year. 

[Nigello]

Two large trees on Landells between Goodrich and Silvester were to have been removed last week, according to signs (insurance) on both, but they’re still there. Southwark has replaced trees in the past when older/diseased/hazardous ones were removed so I expect new ones will be planted eventually. 

[malumbu]

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2024/southwark-becomes-first-inner-london-borough-have-100000-trees

Link to Southwark Council's ambulance tree planting programme.  Rather good wouldn't you say?

[Sue]

2 hours ago, malumbu said:

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2024/southwark-becomes-first-inner-london-borough-have-100000-trees

Link to Southwark Council's ambulance tree planting programme.  Rather good wouldn't you say?

Thanks, Malumbu, but did you mean "ambulance"? 

Southwark certainly seem to be planting a lot more trees than they are removing, which is great!

[van dessel]

On 30/08/2025 at 17:29, malumbu said:

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2024/southwark-becomes-first-inner-london-borough-have-100000-trees

Link to Southwark Council's ambulance tree planting programme.  Rather good wouldn't you say?

Honestly? that's a completely infantile "stat".  Treats us like idiots. Ofc there is no 'right' number but politicians like something their minds think is impressive.

Real metrics are: species diversity and bio-interaction between them, male to female ration (this one was news 3-4 years ago), a big one is the aggregate canopy size vs. pavement & flat roof surface area ratio (addresses urban heat sinks), oxygenation and carbon trapping capacity of the tree stock, annual removals vs plantings, and for each one a 30 year trend line AND a league table against global cities AND a KPI to show how the effort is balancing against air quality targets.  And the budget of course. (I'm sure there are a few more)

Now that would be an interesting dashboard rather than some unaudited number from heavens knows where.

I'm sorry but you have to take this stuff seriously else it will not be managed towards the betterment of our future.

[malumbu]

Ambulance?  I meant ambitious tree planting programme.  We are talking here about urban trees rather than recreating an ancient forest.