In Barrell's Organ (aka Essential Arb) Jeremy writes a useful piece on the
value of fastigiate trees where space is limited. But I would like to take
issue with his preamble which places great emphasis on the assertion that in
creating a sustainable tree cover professionals should not be tempted by the
short term gain of eking out a few more years from trees past their prime at
the expense of new planting.
I may be a sentimental old fool - but I subscribe to the "unachievable
ideals embedded in the past" school of thought that Jeremy writes about. I
do not see how replacing trees past their prime is correct sustainable
management whereas retaining trees with limited potential is "contrary to
the principle of sustaining amenity and best practice".- I'm not quite sure
how this maths works out. How is replacing a tree when it dies less
sustainable than replacing a tree before it dies?
Old dying decaying gnarled trees can look great - and what about
conservation value. I recently inspected an Ustulina'd Beech near a road.
The owner, a colourful old lady, was in tears at the thought that it might
have to be felled. She was prepared to spend whatever it took to keep it
'even for one or two more years'. And why not? As Jeremy says, Humans have
rights, a tree may be unlikely to survive much more than 10 years - but
that's probably long enough for a 90 year old lady.
Jeremy draws a parallel with the difficulties foresters face in convincing
people that tree felling is part of an ongoing sustainable cycle of forest
management. But foresters grow crops and harvest healthy trees. We deal in
amenity and trees don't have to be in their prime to have amenity. Come on
Jeremy - don't be ageist!
Incidentally, I also shudder at the thought of Jeremy's brave new world of
phallic trees piercing through postage stamps of space allotted to them in
new developments. Retaining our existing trees also retains their space.
People still lament the loss of Elms from our countryside. Must we next
lament the loss of anything with a spreading crown from our townscapes?
No offence Jeremy - and thanks for the Christmas card.
John Hearne
New Forest District Council
Arboriculturist
Tel : 023 80 285205
8 777 5327 [HPSN OnNet]
Fax : 023 80 285223
john.hearne@xxxxx.gov.uk <BLOCKED::mailto:john.hearne@xxxxx.gov.uk>
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