What's happening to our urban trees?

Surrey ’s leafy suburbs are changing - as a result of cost-cutting measures, Surrey County Council has decided to stop replacing old and diseased trees.

 

Surrey’s leafy suburbs are changing. Higher density housing development is reducing green open space and leading to the loss of trees and hedges. Front gardens are being concreted over for use as car parks. Now as a cost-cutting measure Surrey County Council has decided to stop replacing old and diseased trees along public highways. Attractive suburban streets are turning into harder urban landscapes as a result with less natural greenery to provide relief.

 

The Forestry Commission has warned that unless more trees are planted in our towns and villages the effect on climate change will become increasingly marked. Research by the University of Manchester has shown that streets lined with trees reduce oppressive heat in settlements by providing shade for both buildings and inhabitants. The London Assembly published a report in May 2007 entitled The Chainsaw Massacre which claimed that over the last 5 years 40,000 trees have been lost in London alone. The report called for a broadleaf tree planting strategy throughout the capital. Compared with Surrey CC’s negative approach, the London situation is now improving with recommendations for better tree coverage and even distribution throughout all boroughs. Tree planting and a policy of ‘greening’ the most built-up areas is proving to be an important issue in the Mayoral election campaign. Even if Surrey is the most wooded county in England, the County Council cannot be allowed to continue its strategy of zero replacement planting in towns. Its policy of allowing local residents to fund the planting and maintenance of street trees is not well known and is complex and demanding to implement. The life of street trees in Surrey is being shortened through reduced and insensitive maintenance as well.

 

Not all County Councillors support this approach. Councillor Gosling from Banstead is calling for a re-evaluation of the present policy in favour of a well thought-out long term tree planting strategy.

 

 

District and borough councils may also be able to assist the situation by requiring Section 106 contributions to cover the costs of street planting in new developments. Greater vision is required to ensure that the environmental quality of our built-up streets is protected and improved.

 

If you agree with this article, please lobby your County Councillor to call for a new approach.

 

To find your County Councillors' contact details, see the SCC website for Surrey County Councillors.