Survey 2 results
Trees please leafleted Umfreville Road on Saturday 3 August, inviting residents to take a survey and give thoughts on getting more trees for the road.
Survey 2 flyer
This survey was intended to reach people that were not on Umfrevillagers WhatsApp group. We got 17 responses.
Do you want more trees on the road?
Pie chart showing results for the ‘Would you like to see more street trees on Umfreville Road?’ question.
About two thirds (11 people) said they would like to see more trees on the road.
About one third (5 people) said they would not.
One person did not know.
Can you spend time looking after trees?
Pie chart showing results for the can you spend time looking after trees question.
Over half of respondents said they would be willing to spend time looking after trees.
About 40% would not be and one person said it would depend.
How much can you donate?
Pie chart showing results for the ‘How much can you donate to cover the cost of the trees?’ question.
About half of respondents said they could not donate or were not sure right now.
For those who said they could donate, the total possible donations was £160.
Summary of comments about getting more trees for the streets
Against
We put these comments to Dan Snell, Dan Snell, the council’s Urban Forest Project Officer. Read what Dan said.
Damage to homes
Experience of movement and subsidence caused by trees, shallow foundations and clay soil. High costs of underpinning, repairs and increased insurance premiums, during a cost of living crisis. Anxiety and stress from costs, repairs and dealing with neighbours and Haringey Council.
Concern that a tree outside a property would cause movement. Request to choose planting spots where there is more room and trees will be further from properties, so as to minimise the risk of damage. Request to get the council to plant more trees in Finsbury Park, not Umfreville Road.
Mobility and other issues
Not enough room to get past trees for people with mobility issues, wheelchair users or parents with prams. Trees maybe small at first – but they grow. Leaf fall in autumn is messy and a hazard to the elderly. Overhanging branches cause problems for guttering. Sap from trees damages car paintwork and walls and gates of homes.
Thoroughness of Haringey Council’s survey
Assumption that the council has not considered historic cases of subsidence and has not checked whether the soil can withstand movement from roots in their survey of planning spots for the street.
For
There were comments in favour of the idea, including that respondents would like like to see more trees on the road and get involved in the idea.
There was a suggestion for other types of tree such as fruit or nut trees.
A respondent commented that trees keep ground temperatures down, benefit wildlife and improve air quality.
What happens next
Dan has updated where trees could go to take into account objections he received. See the updated list of planting spots.
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10 November 2024
Added in a link to Dan’s responses to the ‘against’ comments.
Removed the text about us asking the council to address concerns about trees on the road.