Trees Felled in Chetwynd Park

A couple of weeks ago, the Forum Steering Group became aware that some mature trees within the Neighbourhood Area had been felled and caused some concern with residents. As trees should not be felled at this time of year to protect nesting birds and as young pigeons had been found at the site of the felling, the Environmental Sub-group looked into the issue to see what was going on. This is what we found:

Mr Wood (the Broxtowe Tree Man) initially examined the trees when a large branch fell into a neighbouring garden in December 2021. Upon examining the trees he found them to be diseased, unstable and potentially dangerous. The trees were due to be felled during March but bad weather intervened. As Ash do not come into leaf until later in the year and birds do not tend to nest in trees without foliage, it was considered timely to proceed with felling the trees. They were checked again before felling began. 

Upon inspection of adjacent conifers, two nests were found, one of which was empty. It would appear therefore that the chicks had fallen from this nest. The incident was regrettable but not quite as it had been broadcast to residents. The posters which had been displayed, anonymously, on the gate and posts appeared to incite readers to hold Chris Riley to blame. He had no part whatsoever in any decision to fell trees.

We thought you might also like to be aware of Broxtowe’s activities on tree planting

Since 2009, Broxtowe Borough Council has planted 112 000 trees!

In 2019 Broxtowe Council declared a Climate Emergency, and pledged to plant 2,000 trees a year but in actual fact planted 3,000 last year and the year before. Sites and types are thoughtfully chosen. Once planted they have to be managed. Mr Wood is Broxtowe’s tree man. He knows his job and knows his trees. Sometimes trees have to be felled. This is a costly job which the Council can only afford to do if absolutely necessary. Pruning or raising the canopy will be attempted first, if appropriate. When a tree is diseased, its wood loses vigour and its roots become weak and it may pose a danger to people or buildings. The Council does not have money to waste so, the rule of thumb is only chop it down if it’s dead, dying or dangerous. 

As part of the rewilding programme, wood is often allowed to decay in situ or elsewhere. This affords habitat to wildlife and is a natural process which cannot take place if the tree is all cleared away. 

Broxtowe have also planted thousands of native bulbs and flowers to further enrich our parks and green spaces. Many of these have been planted with the involvement of schoolchildren and community groups. Again, they are carefully chosen and appropriately sited.

Although we don’t always see eye to eye with the Council, Broxtowe Council is doing its best to enhance the local environment within its limited budget. In this case all proper procedures seem to have been followed and the disturbance of the pigeons was unfortunate but certainly not deliberate.

Finally a Community Group (Canopy 2050 – look on Facebook) are working to increase the number of trees available for Broxtowe plant.