20121031 Survey of the Memorial Garden with Park Officers

On Wednesday morning Julian, Franks and council Park Officers and representatives from the Charity Groundwork Southwark (that is managing the second tranche of the Open Space Fund Works) walked over the Surrey Square Park Memorial Garden to survey the tree and vegetation there and decide how the forthcoming works will be carried out.

I could only stay briefly but Julian, as thorough and efficient as he is, has already made a report for the survey, I put at the bottom of the page. Note that Frank had very recently sustain an operation to his knee but still was determined to be present!

In many ways what was to be decided was what trees to fell what to plant as a replacement.

The deadly hand of fate then marked the doomed trees with the white mark!!

For the Chop!!

Here Julian thorough report of the proceedings:

Surrey Square Park

Meeting to agree tree removal and some vegetation clearance in the Memorial garden

Wed 31st Oct 2012

Present:

Frank (FoSSP), Julian (FoSSP), Alan (Loughman), Rachel

(Southwark tree division), Sanchia (Groundwork)

Three trees were identified for removal (2no small elder, 1no staghorn sumac). These were clearly marked with a large white paint dot each. Where trees were marked by a straight horizontal line, this indicates coppicing to about 300mm off the ground. (2no Buddleia, 1 no Ash) Photo's were also taken to help identify the trees under discussion.

Rachel confirmed that a felling notice should be attached to the tree a minimum of 5 days before the proposed tree works are to take place, to give Southwark a chance to deal with any reasons and responses. She will forward on the forms to SD and notices will be put up by Friday 2nd November.

Staghorn sumac at gated entrance

Plenty of suckering or self-seeded saplings growing along the boundary fence. Retain the group, primarily along the fence, and cut back the depth by half to control.

2 larger sumacs in a group of three with a sycamore Retain larger sumac and prune of crossing branch (see photo – will still be confirmed with contractor)

Retain sycamore.

Remove smaller sumac as marked – has sustained dog damage, lost one of two small leaders,

and has limited crown growth.

Field maple and hawthorn growing very close together

Difficult decision as both are relatively desirable species, but they are growing very close together and the faster growing field maple is providing root and crown competition for the hawthorn.

Agreed that both will be retained, the field maple pruned to reduce competition. Manage and

observe both into the future.

Group of ash, ash and sycamore (v close together)

Ash with 4 leaders – coppice. Retain other two trees.

Large sycamore near fence into the park

Largest and healthiest specimen in the garden area.

Retain it, but remove two large suckered branches near the base of the trunk.

Central group of trees with elder

Elder is damaged and has very little live, healthy growth. It is actually 3 trees. Remove the two dead, paint marked trees. Coppice the third tree. Retain (and protect) all other small shrubs & trees.

Julian to arrange moving of the bird boxes prior to the tree works. SD to give general notice to the contractors that if trees come down with bird boxes, these are to be retained and returned to the FoSSP.

Two large Buddleia bushes

Coppice both of these down hard, to approximately 300mm above ground.

Large ivy covered sycamore near boundary fence

Discussion over differing opinions over retention of ivy in trees (wildlife value vs. tree health). If all vy retained,Rachels' opinion is that this could kill the tree within 5yrs. Agreed to remove/kill ivy in he crown of the tree and observe. Method entails severing woody stems leading into the crown, and then leaving ivy in place for at least a year till it has browned and died before removing.

Agreed that killing the ivy would be the Loughman's responsibility, but that removing it more than a year later would be Southwark's.

Concern over expertise of contractor raised – SD to confirm that Baylis who are to be softworks contractor will be carrying this out, and have experience of tree works and industry standard methods. For example, where trees grow in such close proximity, “Eco Plugs should be used to kill ather than grubbing out roots to avoid damage to surrounding trees and plants.

Hawthorn group near fence, in main bramble thicket

Agreed to remove ivy in this group – cut stems and leave to die.

Sycamore with woody vine (Russian vine?, in thicket area)

This vine doesn't cling like ivy, so can be fully removed after cutting down woody stems with chainsaw.

Agreed to remove vine completely, and sever ivy at base and leave it on the tree truck.

The leave tree to recover and evaluate it's health. Rachel can come down at time of vine removal to do an immediate evaluation and instruct if tree is to be removed at that time.