Too many trees in East Dulwich. (Lounged)

[Jeremy]

Has anyone read "timewasters letters"?

[SeanMacGabhann]

not that good - I didn't bite (for once)

This thread will still go down in the as a classic

[Shaolin Wolf]

I`m loving it...keeping me very entertained in my few remaining days in ED...thankyou :))

[jrussel]

Shaolin Wolf Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> JR you don`t half chat some rubbish! Of course

> trees were there first...just tell us your real

> issue rather than chatting rubbish about

> trees..surely you can blame the woman with a

> sprained ankle for wearing high heels by using

> same thread of thought...did you report it special

> branch??

It really depends how old the trees are. Most trees in Victorian streets would have been planted after the street was built. Maybe a few in back gardens pre-exist the houses.

Anyway, as I say it's irrelevant. I hope you wouldn't use the "we were here first so we take priority" line against immigrants from other countries or other parts of the UK, for example.

[clive3300]

I still dont see how trees get in the way of London's growth/densification. Trees are scattered around Southwark, not in dense pockets - even if you chopped every last one of them down, dont see how this would provide significantly more density than just building high over the vast amount of semi industrial / light commercial / council areas to the south of SE1 (and similar areas).

I see a lot of inappropriately low-density buildings, not giant nasty clumps of trees.

Satellite photo of SE1

[Asset]

Shaolin - just because you move north of the river you can still look at the forum and see what you're missing. Trees mostly unless you're moving to Hampstead.

[annaj]

I have no idea if jrussel is serious or not, but I think earnestly addressing the mayor by the wrong name is a nice touch.

Edited for very poor spelling.

[mightyroar]

I love the letter, would love to see a repsonse if you get one, but as suggested, change the name to Johnson.

Or maybe you should address him as Bojo for that chummy feel?

[bawdy-nan]

isn't this about the Barry road development proposal?

In the thread someone talks about how the development goes right up to the join with the pavement and will therefore likely mean the removal of mature trees on the pavement.

If this is the case then I simply don't understand j russel's points. The proposed development isn't affordable housing and doesn't address the unmet need for family size affordable housing (which I think might be a planning issue in any case).

There are far more interesting ways of using up space and nooks and crannies and being creatively high density.

[Twentiethcenturymarc]

jrussel Wrote:

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> lozzyloz Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I'm stumped. No where in the article does it

> > advocate "It is still possible to create a

> decent

> > living environment with very few trees". In

> fact

> > there's not even any mention of trees.

> >

> > Now leaf us alone.

>

> The article was quoted to illustrate the fact the

> America is slowly waking up to the idea that it

> needs to make its cities denser.

>

> Copenhagen is often mentioned as one of the most

> desirable cities to live in in Europe, with a very

> good standard of living.

>

> Go and look at central Copenhagen on the satellite

> view on Google Maps.

>

> Now do the same for East Dulwich.

I've just been to Copenhagan...it's full of trees.

[Amelie]

I had writen to BJ about something else, and was about to write again not having received a reply when the following pinged into my inbox:

"The Mayor would like to thank you for your interest and is keen to answer your query as fully as possible. But as you would appreciate, he has received a lot of correspondence and [sic] still in the process of putting together a team to take forward his policies.

I would like to refer you to the GLA website for details of the Mayor's policy ideas. This information can be accessed via this link www.london.gov.uk/mayor.

The website will also carry the press releases that are issued as policies are refined, published and put into practice.

Once again, thank you for contacting the Mayor.

Yours sincerely,"

I think this is the most that JRussell can expect in the short-term.

[Shaolin Wolf]

You are keeping very very entertained here thankyou...hmmm lets see..now where did i mention immigrants? Can`t remember doing so but as you mention it no i wouldn`t use that line about immigrants. My better half is Vietnamese, my kung fu teacher is Chinese, many of my colleagues are from varied nations...and being a mongrel nation we`ve all got immigrant blood somewhere so please don`t try that one on me because it shows lack of intelligence and a leaning to not knowing how to argue you`re point intelligently...a trait you`ve shown from the start may i add. Keep `em coming JR but make it intelligent please.

[Shaolin Wolf]

Haha thanks for that Asset...many trees and greenery in North London..Regents Park ,Hampstead, Finsbury Park to name a few. Will miss being kept quite so amused and entertainwd by postings on here though;-)

[snorky]

kill its thread please, its not serious, nor I think is the OP - this should be in the Lounge, or maybe in "nutters" section, along with UFOs over Dog Kennel HIll themes

[Andyng]

What a stupid post I know lets tell boris to concrete all of east dulwich

just for your sake

hHow ave you ever been injured by leaves?

[Andyng]

What a stupid post I know lets tell boris to concrete all of east dulwich

just for your sake

How ave you ever been injured by leaves?

[JenSpen]

Ha ha, I'll keep an eye out for you with an axe!

[HonaloochieB]

jrussel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Here as promised is the text of the letter I have

> just sent to the mayor's office:

>

> ============================================

>

> Dear Mr. Boris Johnston, Mayor of London,

>

> Firstly may I congratulate you on your recent

> election to the office of Mayor of London.

>

> I would like you to apply your mayoral attention

> to an issue most important to London and the

> planet as a whole but which is currently

> overlooked. We must stop being so precious about

> trees in this city. There seems to be an attitude,

> mainly held by suburban-minded individuals who

> will defend their own personal convenience at the

> expense of amenity to the general population, that

> trees must be defended at all costs and also

> planted in virtually every last square foot of

> empty space. One person may enjoy a view of a tree

> from their window, another person may enjoy having

> a small home on the piece of land occupied by the

> tree rather than festering in a homeless hostel

> surrounded by people who will sell them drugs and

> ruin their life forever. Or perhaps a childrens'

> hospital, is this less important than the

> housewife who likes to glance at a distant tree in

> between chores when she could just plant a new

> bush in the back garden or perhaps invest in a

> window box? Not only this but I have recently

> witnessed a lady walking on my street late at

> night whose shoe became wedged between paving

> slabs lifted by the roots of a tree, who

> subsequently sprained her ankle and had to receive

> medical attention. I dread to think what the

> result may have been had this lady been an elderly

> person with osteoporosis in which case there would

> have been broken bones. This tree is very

> inappropriately planted in the middle of the

> pavement. One of its branches overhangs my house

> and the leaves from it have repeatedly blocked my

> drains forcing me to often climb a ladder which is

> a safety risk in itself. Mr Johnston you may think

> these are trivial issues but the fact is they are

> just pieces in the jigsaw of a larger picture and

> that picture is that we have become blind to our

> obsession with trees in this city and we value

> them more than our fellow humans, it seems.

>

> Now I am aware that your sympathies may lie with

> the suburban mentality of the outer boroughs who I

> understand elected you to your position. But it is

> your duty to recognise the needs of genuine urban

> dwellers and also our planet which is gradually

> becoming consumed by sprawl. Some of your recent

> policy decisions leave me with little faith that

> you have any genuine interest in environmental

> concerns but I do hope that you will take a few

> minutes of your time to consider the points I am

> making and perhaps you will have the foresight and

> vision to recognise their significance.

>

> I would very much appreciate if you could outline

> for me your policies on the planting of new trees,

> maintenance of existing trees, and preservation of

> trees balanced against the need for new

> development in this capital city of one of

> Europe's most crowded nations.

>

> I have copied this letter to certain other

> politicians who I am sure will be as keen to hear

> your response as I am.

>

> Thank you for your attention

>

> Yours sincerely,

>

>

Henry Root

[Shaolin Wolf]

What`s happened JR..no witty reply?? Sound to me like you`re not playing anymore and taken your ball home in a sulk ;-)

[jaybee82]

A plea to everyone...stop posting responses!! Its clear that JRussel is an eccentric old so-and-so who's just trying to get people to bite! No matter how many letters he/she writes to 'Boris Johnston' (whoever he is) somebody won't be round with a chainsaw!

[HonaloochieB]

jaybee82 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> A plea to everyone...stop posting responses!!

Shan't!

[Shaolin Wolf]

Shan`t, won`t, can`t make me!! JR has been keeping me very amused..and that is what they are here for so i`ll keep going as long as they do :))

[jrussel]

Andyng Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> What a stupid post I know lets tell boris to

> concrete all of east dulwich

> just for your sake

>

> How ave you ever been injured by leaves?

This is a very silly response, and it indicates that you have not read what I have written. I am not suggesting anyone should "concrete all of east dulwich". And what I am suggesting is not any more in my interest than most other people on this planet.

As for leaves, I have already mentioned how they can clog up drainpipes and the like. They are also expensive for the council to sweep up. You may also know that they can cause major issues on the railways although this is something of an unrelated point to the discussion we are having here.

[Mojave1979]

What a stupid idiot. I've been watching this thread develop over the last few days/weeks and can't get my head around how pointless this whole "debate" is. Writing a letter to a mayor when you can't even be bothered spelling his name correctly, treating each right-minded response by saying people are "missing your point" and going on about how expensive leaves are to sweep up, are just three examples of how dumb this argument is.

Trees are beautiful, end of story, end of debate. I would much rather be able to sit in my living room and look at an ever-changing skyline as the seasons change, then stare at row upon row of generic housing. South London is more leafy and green than North, it's one of the things that attracted me to move to the area last year, and it makes me wonder how you manage to maintain a normal life when you can't even see how idiotic your point is.

Have you had a response from "Mr. Johnston" yet? The same, standard reply most people have when they write to somebody in office. Are you planning on vigilante action against these natural wonders? Chainsaw, possibly. Have you taken your medication recently?

By the way, the trees were here first. To say anything else proves that nothing you say holds any water.

[Mojave1979]

This is probably a better response than my original. And certainly less insulting and more persuasive. It's from givemetrees.org

Trees are not just for the far away mountains and jungles. They are very much needed right where we live. In the city. In our neighbourhood. Where we breathe, where we live. Trees are needed right where we live not just in far away forests.

Trees are home to birds and squirrels, and they are home to people as well, providing a place for solitude and repose away from the pressures of the city. In fact, trees contribute substantially to property values.

A treed neighbourhood can increase real estate values by over twenty percent. In town, people tend to shop longer along streets lined with shade trees. Apartments and office space are rented more quickly and for longer periods in green areas, and businesses are more apt to locate in a community with a healthy urban forest.

But trees have tangible health benefits as well. How many of us suffer from some sort of respiratory problem? Trees act as an air filter, trapping dust particles and absorbing gaseous pollutants.

Trees also reduce greenhouse gases through photosynthesis as they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

Trees moderate the effect of urban heat islands, where temperatures are often 3 to 4 degrees C greater than the surrounding area. Trees also shade us from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which are becoming increasingly dangerous with the thinning of the ozone layer.

Trees muffle noise by absorbing and diffusing sound waves. People seem to be less bothered by noise when the source is screened from view by trees or other vegetation.

Trees can lower energy costs?by as much as 50 percent for air conditioning and 20 percent for heating?by shading our homes in summer and breaking the force of winter winds. These savings on energy consumption translate to burning less coal and oil, less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a reduction in environmental degradation.

Trees even contribute to recovery from illness. Researchers have found that recuperating hospital patients placed in rooms with windows facing trees heal significantly faster and require far less pain-killing drugs than those in rooms without such a view.

But urban trees are often left to take care of themselves in the harsh urban environment. Did you know that we continue to lose our established shade trees at a rate of four trees for every one tree planted?

We can all help protect our urban forest. We can work together to ensure that our municipal governments have strong policies to conserve urban trees. We can also join community efforts to maintain our city's trees. The simple act of planting a tree in your own yard is a contribution to the survival of your urban forest.