There's more photos in our blogs at Haringey trees (stories and photos), and trees (photos, not necessarily Haringey).

Contents
Celebrating Haringey's Trees
.... Haringey's unique Mulberry
.... Enjoying
.... Horse Chestnut giant
.... Noel Park's Friendship Tree
Damaging Trees
.... Mowing damage to trees
.... Vehicle and construction damage to trees
.... Too handy for notices
.... No after-planting-care
.... Deliberate damage
.... Newly planted not watered
Trees going and gone
.... Hornsey Water Works frontage
.... Crescent Road Oak
.... Crouch End Hill
.... Plane tree opposite New River Village (former Hornsey Water Works)
.... Highgate pocket park
.... Springfield Avenue Oak
Planting for the Future
.... Around Belmont School & 'Rec', N15
.... Oak Circle in Lordship Park
.... In Crossfield Road, N15
.... At Crowland School, N17
.... At Hallam Road, N15
.... Outside Lordship Lane School, N22

Tip: Internet Explorer users can press the F11 key to switch to and from full screen.


Celebrating Haringey's Trees

Haringey's unique Mulberry tree (or do we have another? Tell us!)

Situated in Mulberry Close, rear of Rokesley School, Crouch End, N8, this unusual tree is a survivor from the big house gardens that were once found here. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Haringey's Mulberry Tree

Probably coppiced (cut low down) early in its life, this old oak (situated beside the 'Lower Road') consequently has an easily accessible branching growth, and is much climbed and sat in by kids of all ages including grown up ones! Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

In Alexandra Park - a favourite tree

One of the most magnificent trees in London. In good health, and well-proportioned, with a trunk circumference at shoulder height of some 15 or 18 feet, this tree could be some 300 years old, perhaps even more. It is located on private land, at North Bank, Muswell Hill. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

The North Bank Horse Chestnut

On 11th September 2003, the tree that stands in the island in the centre of Morley Avenue was celebrated as the Noel Park Friendship Tree. A diverse group of people were present, including both local and central government politicians. Everyone was there because they support the concept of 'global harmony, trust and peace through local friendship'. The tree was tied around with yellow ribbons and a plaque 'celebrating the value of friendship in Noel Park and across the world' was unveiled by Barbara Roche MP. If you want to know about Friendship Global, a movement launched by two young sisters, then contact e-mail: info@friendshipglobal.com. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Unveiling of 'Friendship Tree' plaque in Morley Avenue, Noel Park.

Close-up picture of 'Friendship Tree' plaque.

It's depressing that an activity that aims to make a place look better is, because of poor training and lack of monitoring, actually resulting in serious damage to trees. The photographs below show strimmer damage that has partly ring-barked many of the young trees on Downhills Way, and mower impact damage to the trunks of other young trees there. The deep scoring of the tree support posts indicates the level of carelessness being shown by whoever was doing the work. The Tree Trust has raised the issue many times at different levels, including in writing to and with a site visit by the Director of Environmental Services, the department that is responsible both for parks maintenance and for the protection of trees - an unfortunate conflict. Despite these efforts, examination of the photos shows a mix of old damage and new, fresh damage. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Strimmer damage to young tree 1

Strimmer damage to young tree 2

Strimmer damage to young tree 3

Strimmer (or mower collision) damage to young tree 4

Probable mower 'collision' damage to young tree 5

Mower 'collision' damage to tree support pole

Mower 'collision' damage to tree support pole

In many places, there may be little that, realistically, can be done to protect a pavement tree from careless drivers. However, where parking is permitted alongside trees, it is essential that protection is installed, whether a low railing or kerb, to prevent vehicles hitting the trees and damaging the protective bark and important conducting tissues that lie just beneath the bark. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Vehicle damage to road sign and tree

The Council and estate agents are among the culprits. The latter have, so far, quite quickly responded to requests to remove their signs. Sadly, the Council have not, despite (in the case of the Western Road sign) multiple letters including to the Director of Environmental Services (the department that is responsible for both the signs and - a conflict of interest - for the enforcement of tree protection). Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Fire assembly point notice fixed to tree outside Tottenham Town Hall

'No dumping notice fixed to tree on Western Road, Wood Green

Whether required by planning conditions or planted voluntarily by the company alongside, the two trees shown here are a prime example of lack of care, and perhaps of a lack of meaningful enforcement of planning conditions. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

View of the two trees

The stem of one tree has been growing out of its protective cage for years

Another picture of the stem of one tree which has been growing out of its protective cage for years

The stem growing out is being further damaged by the top of its 'protective' cage

The stem of the second tree now completely fills its protective cage

The majority (eight) of the ten Pear and Mountain Ash trees planted outside Lordship Junior School by the Tree Trust (see Planting for the Future below) have recently been deliberately damaged by what, judging by the cuts, may have been a machete. What a pity, because although the cuts on some of the trees should eventually heal, on other trees, a substantial amount of bark has been removed, so that growth may be inhibited, and healing over will be much more difficult. In the descriptions, the tree have been numbered counting from the left. Click on the thumbnails to see the full photos In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen..

Cuts to tree 1 (counting from left) outside Lordship School

Cuts to tree 2

Cuts to tree 3

Cuts to tree 4

Cuts to tree 5

Cuts to tree 6

Tree 7 is almost undamaged

Tree 8 is almost undamaged

Cuts to tree 9

Cuts to tree 10

Six large plane trees were planted by St James Homes in response to the campaign co-ordinated by the Tree Trust to save three plane trees originally located inside the wide pavement at the front of the site. The campaign actively involved the Hornsey Conservation Area Advisory Committee, the Friends of Hornsey Church Tower and the New River Action Group. The Council wanted to greatly widen the Hornsey High Street at this point, as part of the creation of a new entrance to the New River Village development, and the trees would then - in the Council's view - have been too close to their desired kerb. The original trees are picture below in 'Trees Going and Gone'. In the end, despite promises, excavations continued around the root zones of the original trees and sealed their fate.
At the planting of the new trees, which were large and planted by a specialist supplier, many people and organisations including two classes of children from St Mary's Primary School opposite the site joined in a happy ceremony. This public involvement makes it all the more ridiculous that these new trees have not been watered, particularly given that they were especially large therefore very susceptible to drying in their first summer. One tree now (mid-June 05) appears to be dead, while another is severely wilted. Click on the thumbnails to see the full size photos. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Dry trees outside New River Village in Hornsey (17 June 05)

Zoomed in photo of dry trees outside New River Village in Hornsey (17 June 05)

These trees at the front of the former Hornsey Water Works (here seen from Church Road across Hornsey High Street) have been here for a hundred years or more. They are firmly a part of the scene, close by the green in front of the Great Northern pub, and opposite Hornsey Church Tower. Unfortunately, they are in the way of the proposed road access that will be built to service both the new 'New River Village' and whatever is agreed for the redeveloped Council Depot site (possibly a new Sainsbury). Local campaigners including the Tree Trust have been arguing that the existing access to the sites could be utilised, taking traffic away from the green and the church tower, and retaining these trees. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Trees which may be lost at front of Hornsey Water Works

Sadly, this oak lost a huge branch recently (due to disease visible in the photograph - see the standing trunk by scrolling to the right). The fallen branch stretched most of the way across the frontage of the nearby block of flats. The forces that an ordinary tree withstands in supporting a branch of this weight and size at right-angles to the trunk are remarkable (a massive leverage even without wind). Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

The huge fallen branch of the Crescent Road oak

Many mature trees were lost in the gale of October 2002, among them these trees on Crouch End Hill. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Crouch End Hill storm losses October 2002

Another of the trees the Tree Trust were concerned to save outside the New River Village development in Hornsey (see 'Hornsey Waterworks Frontage' above) was a Lime tree located opposite the entrance. Our concerns were that the extensive road realignment and widening here could, sooner or later, result in calls for the tree to be felled. In the event, trenching works on two sides of the tree meant that it became unstable, and had to be felled. Thames Water accepted responsibility and paid for the felling.
At the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 2nd August, 2005, the Council were asked to require Thames Water to pay for the planting of a number of replacement trees in the locality. Given the high fines that could be levied, and potential court costs, it was suggested that between 5 and 10 trees would be a small cost to Thames Water and small recompense to the community for the loss of a visually important 150 year old tree.
The Council's actions and Thames Water's response will be reported here. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Picture of the stump (looking down Church Lane from Hornsey High Street).

The long history of the pocket park on the corner of Southwood Avenue and Archway Road may be drawing to a close soon, with a public inquiry on its future due in October 2003. Briefly, it was opened as a small or 'pocket' park in 1987, passed through the ownership of the (then) Dept. of Transport (for possible road widening), Haringey Council failed to purchase back from the DoT, and a private owner took over. Although defined as public space, the owner has applied several times for permission to build. Just over 4 years ago, he felled the trees on the site without permission, an operation witnessed by one of the Council's Arboricultural Officers. Nevertheless, no prosecution has been made, and the offence is now out of time. The owner's most recent application to build will be the subject of the inquiry. Meanwhile, neighbours of the site have had to endure much dumping and the appearance of dereliction. With the resolution of the issue of building permission, if the inspector rules against the owner and in favour of the Council, it is hoped that the Council will move to compulsory purchase and restoration of the amenity to the benefit, at last, of the neigbouring residents. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

The park on its opening day in 1987.

Derelict pocket park site with felled tree stumps

The most significant and massive tree on the ridge, this oak was 'assured' of protection when the overgrown former allotment site was redeveloped for a block of flats. However, the proximity of the building and hard standings, meant that the assurances were worthless. The tree began to die immediately. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Springfield Avenue Oak

The Tree Trust has been involved in the funding of tree planting in Belmont Junior School, also in Belmont Recreation Ground near the school, suggested the creation of the hedge alongside the path, and helped with the planting of hedging around part of the perimeter. Click on the thumbnails to see the full photos In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Norway Maple planted at Belmont School (pic taken from Belmont Rec). Pupils returned from their first year at secondary school to help plant this commemorative tree towards which they had raised funds.

One of the trees planted in Belmont Rec near the school

Some of the line of trees planted in Belmont Rec near the school

The hedgerow in Belmont Rec

looking north towards the school - it will be part of a developing landscape of trees

Planted in a collaboration between the Tree Trust, the Pagan Foundation, Haringey Council, and Trees for London, the Oak Circle in summer 2003 has one dead tree (which we will ensure is replaced), and a couple of trees with dead 'growing points' (which we will seek advice on). The circle feels established in the park, and its location on a gentle rise has views over a wide sweep of Haringey including Alexandra Palace and London northwards - more impressive than you might think from the location. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

The Oak Circle in Lordship Park looking west towards Alexandra Palace

An active local resident contacted the Tree Trust to see if he could get trees planted in this and neighbouring streets. Residents were consulted by the Council, and around a dozen Mountain Ash trees planted with funding shared by residents, the Haringey Tree Section and the Tree Trust. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Trees planted in Crossfield Road, N17

The Tree Trust, with the help of the Tree Council and Haringey Tree Section, were very pleased to be able to contribute a playground tree to Crowland School. N15. It is thriving in its location, and should be an increasing asset to the school. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

playground tree at Crowland School (near Markfield Park N15)

The late Bernie Grant, MP, officiated at the Tree Trust plantings in Hallam Road corner park. Not every tree survived, but those that have include an oak that is particularly thriving, showing that this species, not regarded as particularly easy to establish in poor city soils, can be a great success and all being well, in time become an asset for its area. Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Trees planted at Hallam Road corner park

Oak tree thriving at Hallam Road corner park

Ten trees for ten classes. Children from each class prepared a time capsule containing drawings and letters and little secrets and then helped to plant them beneath their own special tree. A fine row of five Pear and five Mountain Ash trees were planted, with the help of Haringey's Mayor, just outside the school boundary. Sadly, these trees have recently been vandalised, although we are hopeful they will survive (see also Damaging Trees above). Click on the thumbnail to see the full photo. In Internet Explorer, F11 toggles full screen.

Pear and Mountain Ash trees outside Lordship Primary School