Flowering Cherry Trees Threatened with the Chop

Brenda · Post by **Brenda** » 28 Apr 2005, 10:25

At a Portobello Amenity Society meeting last evening (April 27), John Stewart reported that, as part of the High Street 'improvements', the Council propose to fell all the trees outside the Bank of Scotland and all the flowering cherries outside the deli. They want to replace them with 'uniform planting' - probably semi-mature ornamental pear trees (those with small white blossoms).
The reasons given are: that some cherry tree roots are breaking the surface, that they 'weren't properly planted' all those years ago, and that they probably won't survive much longer. They also want to plant the new trees further out in the pavement.
Local resident George Anderson (PAS member), who has just retired from the education unit at the Royal Botanic Garden and is currently President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, says these trees should last for another 200 years!
The council say there will be 'public consultation', but PAS will object and will let Maureen Child, Lawrence Marshall and Susan Deacon know now.
Anyone else who feels that these trees should not be felled should email simon.lievesley@edin.gov.uk He is in Economic Development.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Apr 2005, 10:37

Brenda wrote:The council say there will be 'public consultation'.

Quite right too.

Ed · Post by Ed » 28 Apr 2005, 10:42

From the reasons posted above, it sounds quite sensible to remove the trees. What replaces them is a totally different issue.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Apr 2005, 10:47

Ed wrote:From the reasons posted above, it sounds quite sensible to remove the trees. What replaces them is a totally different issue.

In what way is it a different issue?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 28 Apr 2005, 10:52

Brenda wrote:Local resident George Anderson (PAS member), who has just retired from the education unit at the Royal Botanic Garden and is currently President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, says these trees should last for another 200 years!

I trust George on this...

Ed · Post by Ed » 28 Apr 2005, 10:59

Porty wrote:
Ed wrote:From the reasons posted above, it sounds quite sensible to remove the trees. What replaces them is a totally different issue.
In what way is it a different issue?

Well I can only go on what was typed above, but it the trees are going to be removed for the reasons of:

* some cherry tree roots are breaking the surface
* that they 'weren't properly planted' all those years ago
* that they probably won't survive much longer

Then that makes sense. I am no tree removal expert but I dont think there will be a chipper on hand immediately to destroy them

Then, next issue, there will be a space so we/whoever can decide what goes in the place. Theres nothing to say it cant be the same (replanted) or different cherry trees "correctly planted". Or anythng else people decide on for that matter!

How about a Starbucks

Post by **wangi** » 28 Apr 2005, 11:01

News at Ten - roots breaking the surface. Gee, imagine that! Those trees are beautiful, and established - if they are chopped down and replaced then the new ones don't have a hope in hell of surviving - they'll be bent and snapped by kids...

... Like the nice ornamental holes in the ground next to the pumping station.

Ed · Post by Ed » 28 Apr 2005, 11:08

wangi wrote:they don't have a hope in hell of surviving - they'll be bent and snapped by kids...

Good point, I forgot the yoof factor. Have to remember to add it into everything. In that case, remove the slabs that the trees are disrupting

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 28 Apr 2005, 13:07

Replace them with the original trees what they just took out, innit.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Apr 2005, 13:16

Marya wrote:
Brenda wrote:Local resident George Anderson (PAS member), who has just retired from the education unit at the Royal Botanic Garden and is currently President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, says these trees should last for another 200 years!
I trust George on this...

So do I but the likely longevity of the Trees is not the issue. Slab disruption can lead to accidents and injuries. Blind, old and young people are particularly susceptible. Sounds like it was a poor decsion to put big rooted trees there in the first place, "wrongly" planted or not. This issue doesn't need a public consultation, in fact even to suggest it is blooming ridiculous.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 28 Apr 2005, 14:46

I think the people whose views are as important as anyone else's [esp if trees were indeed incorrectly planted too close to buildings] are those whose windows appear to almost obscured by the trees. And who may be affected by beasties from the trees!

What do they think/feel/want?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Apr 2005, 15:01

Poppy wrote:. And who may be affected by beasties from the trees! What do they think/feel/want?

Frankly, I couldn't give a s hit what the beasties want, b loody parasites.

Post by **wangi** » 28 Apr 2005, 15:11

Poppy wrote:What do they think/feel/want?

Probably not roots going through their foundations...

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 28 Apr 2005, 20:04

Porty wrote: the likely longevity of the Trees is not the issue

I thought it was. Brenda said that it was one of the reasons cited by the council.

The reasons given are: that some cherry tree roots are breaking the surface, that they 'weren't properly planted' all those years ago, and that they probably won't survive much longer.

There seems to be LOTS of cash swishing around to replace perfectly good paving slabs up town with some even more expensive granite slabs. I'd much prefer a rather less drastic approach than chopping down the trees. If pavements are cracked then perhaps neglect has played a part.
I still miss those beautiful cherry trees that used to grace the roundabout at the top of Leith Walk

I don't want to see these go as well...

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 28 Apr 2005, 21:13

Quote:
The reasons given are: that some cherry tree roots are breaking the surface, that they 'weren't properly planted' all those years ago, and that they probably won't survive much longer.

How ironic, the tree roots are breaking the surface, have the council looked at the b loody mess of the pavements and those drain grids lately - not too mention the state of the roads.
We would dearly love some tree scaping on the causeway and in Baileyfield Road - but apparently 'trees are too expensive' so expensive in fact that they can destroy beautiful maturing cherry trees, and replace them with something else. I know who/what I think should be planted in the vacant plots

I am in agreement with the 'keep the trees' onliners.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 28 Apr 2005, 21:44

I even love them at Xmas with the white lights on them - the smartest decorations around.

So what if a few of our elder citizens break a few few bones tripping up on the roots. I think it is a small price to pay for the year round pleasure everyone else gets from the trees.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 28 Apr 2005, 21:55

Pal of Porty wrote:I even love them at Xmas with the white lights on them - the smartest decorations around.

But not for the last two years, PoP!!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 29 Apr 2005, 19:59

Poppy wrote:But not for the last two years, PoP!!

Never noticed!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 29 Apr 2005, 23:34

I voted for keep them

Cherry blossom is so gorgeous (when it is on the trees and when it is flying about) and if there is nothing wrong with the trees why not leave them there.

And Cherry blossom is on one of the POL online headers which looks brilliant but then all of the POL online headers are inspirational.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 01 May 2005, 13:09

I voted to chop them but only because I pressed the wrong button. So in our mini poll - actually no-one has voted for the chop.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 May 2005, 13:27

Pal of Porty wrote:I voted to chop them but only because I pressed the wrong button.

Try and be a bit more careful on Thursday!

DG · Post by DG » 01 May 2005, 16:52

I wondered what *** voted yes - now it all makes sense

I feel relieved!

DG

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 01 May 2005, 18:24

This seems the best place for this link to an item the EN yesterday about tarting up Porty [the place!!].

City's summer makeover will put Portobello streets ahead

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 May 2005, 11:51

Bob Jefferson wrote: Try and be a bit more careful on Thursday!

Does it make a difference !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 07 May 2005, 07:57

Pal of Porty wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote: Try and be a bit more careful on Thursday!
Does it make a difference !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously not!!!

he still won

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Flowering Cherry Trees Threatened with the Chop

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Re: Flowering Cherry Trees Threatened with the Chop