Hilly Fields tree losses

The vicious storm (named St. Jude) that swept across southern England last night reached south London early this morning. Inevitably, there were tree losses across Brockley, including some very sad casualties in Hilly Fields.

They are nearly all on the rise coming up from Adelaide Avenue and at the crown of the park near the children's play park. It seems that the winds swept up and across the park, snapping mature trees like matchsticks: 

The species are maple, Black Poplar and, very sadly, one of the mature willows that sits on the rise coming up Montague Avenue. Arguably, these trees came down because they were rotting or weak, but nonetheless, we have lost some old friends in the last 24 hours. 

A Breath Of Fresh Air

More and more often we are coming across serious scientific research that backs up our sense that our urban trees are good for us, not just because they look stunning, but because they are making a significant contribution to our health in our gritty city environments. 

A case in point is research recently presented on BBC2's "Trust Me I'm A Doctor" in which the work of Professor Barbara Maher at Lancaster University's Environment Centre revealed the huge benefits of having a screen of the humble (but beautiful) silver birch (betula pendula) placed between houses and busy roads.

After just two weeks of monitoring the effects of the tree screen, the reduction in the amount of iron-bearing particulate traffic pollution was found to be an astounding 50-60% (compared with a row of adjacent houses without the screen). 

Apparently, much of the effect is due to the tiny hairs and ridges on the leaves which collect the pollution. The open structure of the tree canopy also allows the free circulation of air. Each time it rains, the pollution is washed off and the effect is renewed. Given that particulate matter in car exhaust is a serious risk to those with heart disease, this common tree species could provide a relatively inexpensive safeguard for those living along busy city roads. Oh yes, and it's a beautiful tree too! 

(With thanks to Anthony for spotting this item).

Useful links: 

1. British-trees.com entry for silver birch - go here

2. BBC link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dgd9c/features/pollutionexperiment

3. Professor Maher's research paper - go here

Silver Birch outside the Tate Modern in London - February 2008

Notable birch (betula pubescens perhaps?) - Yorkshire Dales - summer 2012

Changing Of The Guard

After a spate of vandalism against our newly planted (2013) street trees earlier this year, your Brockley Society Tree Wardens have been working with the council's Green Scene to find and re-cycle redundant tree guards around the conservation area. 

This guard in Tressillian Road has done 
its job and will be recycled

So far we've identified about 15 guards that can be removed and re-sited. The job of refitting them to provide protection for our still-vulnerable street trees will go ahead in the next few weeks. 

If you spot a tree guard that looks like it's done its job, please drop us a line at 

trees@brockleysociety.org.uk

… and we will pass on the details to the council. 

Thanks!