How street friendly are street-friendly trees?
We did a second resident’s survey in August. A few people talked about the suitability of trees on an urban road.
We put the comments to Dan Snell, the council’s Urban Forest Project Officer. Here’s what he said.
What about damage to homes?
Dan said:
All street trees are specially selected to be most appropriate for the street scape.
There are a vast range of trees that we no longer plant in Haringey due to historic and present days issues, alongside greater knowledge, and better-informed species selection.
In recent years, we have planted street trees all over the borough (in typical Haringey clay soils), with great success and minimal disturbance to pavements and buildings. Advances in research behind species selection means that we are able to plant with assurance that trees are more suitably sized and easier to manage and maintain. The trees all serve countless environmental benefits, helping to combat climate breakdown and issues such as the urban heat island effect and flash flooding.
Leaf fall in autumn causes mess and wet leaves are a hazard to the elderly.
Dan said:
Well informed street tree species selection allows for us to plant trees that do not drop sap and to plant trees with upright growing patterns – alleviating the risk of overhanging branches.
Was Haringey Council’s survey thorough enough?
Dan said:
We are aware of subsidence cases across the borough and with progressive street tree species selection, we are much more able to avoid future cases occurring.
The initial survey is also focused on the location of utilities, to avoid clashes with underground services.