11:00am Friday 26th February 2010
Jim Brightwell’s letter (‘Learning from native species, Your Views, February 4) was at least correct with regard to the risk of disease by planting mono-culture (one species) Dawn Redwood.
Even the most seasoned of arboriculturists would agree, which makes it all the more illogical when so much will be spent — £4 million on 10,000 street trees in 140 priority areas throughout London and locally on the A5.
We also understand from Westminster Council, which has much experience of Dawn Redwood, that these trees are renowned for massive root systems, uplifting pavements and having the capability of growing to 60ft.
They then have to be pollarded and become unsightly and certainly no longer an amenity attraction.
Councils would be welcomed in planting nectar-yielding trees, rather than what is suggested, or some of our 32 native species, many of which would be more appropriate than Dawn Redwood or Ginkgo, which totally lacks any value for wildlife and are considered solely an amenity tree by those responsible.
The reference to the condition of our Horse Chestnut, introduced in 1616, is not caused by climate change but from ‘bleeding canker’ disease and a small moth that has spread from Eastern Europe in recent years and causes a browning of the leaves.
Sadly, the results of a 12-month consultation entitled The Future of Barnet’s Trees, which included visits to other councils and tree nurseries, was totally ignored by our authority, because of an unfounded belief extra cost would be involved.
Clive Cohen, London Wildlife Trust Barnet Group, Mill Hill
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