We recently reported on the controversy when tree surgeons set about pruning some overgrown trees on the north side of the A96 over from Boath Park. There is a picture of the then, semi-completed work here. We stated at the time that this looked like an attempt to control trees that would have once been planted as a hedge and this view was echoed by forestery expert Dick Youngson at the Suburban Community Council meeting last week.
Some residents had contacted Colin (Cllr C MacAulay that is if you are new to these pages) and he arranged a meeting with BEAR on site to which he invited Dick, Tommy and Annie Stewart from keeping Nairnshire Colourful. Dick’s reported his analysis of the situation to the CC as follows:
“They were planted as a hedge many years ago and they’ve been neglected and they’ve grown and grown until they were much too tall and wide in the crown. The crown was at ground level and they couldn’t actually get into the fence.”
Dick reported a fruitful meeting with Tony Paterson from BEAR in attendance, it seems there may be some chance of getting some help from BEAR in similar pruning exercises that will need to be taken on the overgrown beds on the Achareidh side of the road on the way out of town towards Inverness. Dick reported that the Highland Council has no cash to get involved and no longer sees this area as their responsibility.
The tree surgeons, a very skilled Polish crew according to Dick, returned early last week to the job and it seems a resident called the police who attended the scene. What happened next is slightly unclear and Dick asked Sgt Graham Erskine, who was present at the CC meeting, for more information. Graham said he would find out more information for the Dick and his colleagues.
Colin did add that the residents were concerned that other trees intended for screening had been removed over the years. He went on to say:” It would be nice to get some native trees in this stretch, it is quite a wide area and improve that entry into Nairn.”
Most citizens would like to see more trees planted and perhaps here we could capitalise here as a community on the type of relationship that many of us have with the green spaces in the town. Who wouldn’t be alarmed to see men with chainsaws around trees that are part of a personal landscape without having prior information or knowledge about what was happening? How about taking it one step further and as well as keeping an eye out for the well-being of existing trees, planting a few more for future generations to enjoy?
Colin would like to see more native trees on the wide grass verges of the A96. There are also other areas in the town that could perhaps do with a few trees. An orchard was even one of a series of suggestions considered at a River CC meeting to solve the problem of the big section of no man’s land in Lochloy that is not part of any grass-cutting contract between the Council and the developers. There is a massive amount of land at Sandown too that could be used for planting a few trees, either native species or even public orchards - The Entire Kintyre fruit tree campaign could be a role model (details here). Over 2,000 fruit trees have been planted in public spaces up and down the entire Kintyre peninsula and in urban areas of Scotland similar orchards have been planted too. One of the suggestions at the Sandown planning charrette was that we plant the trees now so that the landscape is ready in the future for when housing is built there. If we want to see such initiatives we can seek the help of Colin and the other highland councillors and the CCs too but given the new age of austerity we would probably have to put our hands in our pockets ourselves too but a donation of a couple of pounds or so would be a good investment in the future.
Some residents had contacted Colin (Cllr C MacAulay that is if you are new to these pages) and he arranged a meeting with BEAR on site to which he invited Dick, Tommy and Annie Stewart from keeping Nairnshire Colourful. Dick’s reported his analysis of the situation to the CC as follows:
“They were planted as a hedge many years ago and they’ve been neglected and they’ve grown and grown until they were much too tall and wide in the crown. The crown was at ground level and they couldn’t actually get into the fence.”
Dick reported a fruitful meeting with Tony Paterson from BEAR in attendance, it seems there may be some chance of getting some help from BEAR in similar pruning exercises that will need to be taken on the overgrown beds on the Achareidh side of the road on the way out of town towards Inverness. Dick reported that the Highland Council has no cash to get involved and no longer sees this area as their responsibility.
The tree surgeons, a very skilled Polish crew according to Dick, returned early last week to the job and it seems a resident called the police who attended the scene. What happened next is slightly unclear and Dick asked Sgt Graham Erskine, who was present at the CC meeting, for more information. Graham said he would find out more information for the Dick and his colleagues.
Colin did add that the residents were concerned that other trees intended for screening had been removed over the years. He went on to say:” It would be nice to get some native trees in this stretch, it is quite a wide area and improve that entry into Nairn.”
Most citizens would like to see more trees planted and perhaps here we could capitalise here as a community on the type of relationship that many of us have with the green spaces in the town. Who wouldn’t be alarmed to see men with chainsaws around trees that are part of a personal landscape without having prior information or knowledge about what was happening? How about taking it one step further and as well as keeping an eye out for the well-being of existing trees, planting a few more for future generations to enjoy?
Colin would like to see more native trees on the wide grass verges of the A96. There are also other areas in the town that could perhaps do with a few trees. An orchard was even one of a series of suggestions considered at a River CC meeting to solve the problem of the big section of no man’s land in Lochloy that is not part of any grass-cutting contract between the Council and the developers. There is a massive amount of land at Sandown too that could be used for planting a few trees, either native species or even public orchards - The Entire Kintyre fruit tree campaign could be a role model (details here). Over 2,000 fruit trees have been planted in public spaces up and down the entire Kintyre peninsula and in urban areas of Scotland similar orchards have been planted too. One of the suggestions at the Sandown planning charrette was that we plant the trees now so that the landscape is ready in the future for when housing is built there. If we want to see such initiatives we can seek the help of Colin and the other highland councillors and the CCs too but given the new age of austerity we would probably have to put our hands in our pockets ourselves too but a donation of a couple of pounds or so would be a good investment in the future.
21 comments:
I thought some of our riverside commitee was going to plant some trees between the road bridge and the sewerage bridge--maybe it just slipped there minds.
Some young Alder trees have been planted in that area, have a look and you will see them.
@ anonymous resident, you still obviously have a poor opinion of the work undertaken. The Gurn suggests you take your concerns to a Community Council meeting or contact Dick Youngson directly.
Bear have inherited the responsibility for managing the road side verges as a part of their A96 contract. They have a duty of care towards all the plants on both sides of the road. They must look at improving the vistas, not have work done that results in the eyesore that has been accomplished. Originally the line of trees were put in to hide the industrial estate and over the years they have been decimated. There is a declaration somewhere about the "A96 Green Corridor" and protection of it. Perhaps someone out there can clarify that for us? Furthermore these trees are amenity trees NOT forestry so should not have been dealt with using forestry techniques which are now out of fashion. It would be an improvement all round to have both broad-leaf and conifers all around the town but the borderline to the industrial estate should be a priority to hide this from passersby and potential tourist visitors. One look at that mess and I would be off........(if I could get through the traffic lights that is)
James, those trees were originally hedging plants that were not kept in good order. If you are not satisfied with this observer's thoughts then perhaps the professional opinon of Dick Youngson might be of some help to you.
Agreed however, time to plant a few more trees in that area, why not go to the next meeting of River CC then and ask them to undertake this work or insist that other agencies do so?
@ anon, you should contact the RSPB if that is the case.
The damage has been done. But why now? Why now when things are "tight" financially after many years of plenty? Call me a conspiracy theorist but is there more going on than what we are aware of? Who wanted it done? Why?
What I meant by planting new trees is to hide the damaged trees AND to again screen the industrial estate as it once was. Lets face it driving past it - its not a sight to behold is it? I like your idea of fruit trees though.
Too bad many young rowan and broadleaf trees were cut down between the merryton and roadbridge, not to mention broom and rose bushes.
@treelover
Wakey Wakey!
Maybe the new policy is making the greenery no maintenance by cutting it all down.
I'm still stunned by the decision to chop back everything between Merrytown and the Road bridge.
The poor ducks have never had it so hard......
@ anon 9.39 Could you be specific about how many trees were cut then. Was it not the case that only dangerous trees were sorted after consultation with experts? Perhaps you'd better speak to River Community Council folkies whose project all this is.
@6.22 Everything? Doesn't look like that to me. By greenery are you including the invasive Japenese Knotweed?
I am a resident of Achareidh and sincerely hope they do not give the trees on the verge area here the same treatment as the ones across from Boathpark. They are an eyesore, whoever did it should be brought to book!
A disgrace and an insult to all Horticulturalists even people with just a basic knowledge know that you don't cut a conifer back beyond the foliage because they don't grow back clearly the polish tree surgeons are pretty useless
Anon, this observer has quite a bit of experience gardening and feels that a decent job has been done there. The only other alternative would have been clear felling. Those were hedging plants originally and never should have been allowed to get out of control. Something would have had to have been done at some point and better sooner rather than later.
If anyone is concerned about the local environment perhaps all attention should turn to planting some species that will be of more use to local bird life. One day, what has become a de facto nature reserve - the former Morganti property next door to this unfortunate former hedge will see most of the dozens of trees that have self seeded over recent years felled to make way for bungalows. It would be nice if we could prepare for that day by planting some replacements nearby.
The strip of ground between the Road bridge and Merryton bridge is nothing short of a disaster a few young trees is not going to do a lot there.
I agree Greenleaf, there is a lot more to be done there, the invasive species, particularly the Japanese Knotweed, need to be eradicated before things can really improve then the complex relationship between the flora and fauna of the river and that of the riverbank can be restored to full health. The same could be said for many other areas on the River Nairn in the town centre. Again, if anyone is concerned about this issue, and it is good there is debate then get along to the next River CC meeting and give them your thoughts, perhaps you too might have ideas that you contribute and even volunteer to help the community improve its environment?
@ nature lover, well best make your opinions heard with Dick Youngson and the Suburban CC if you feel that way then.
i used to spends hours climbin those trees, sorry to see them go. i reckon it looked much better with them there
I have 2 Rowan sapplings I would donate, I dont think people would mind paying for a wee tree, & many people would like to get involved in the planting I am sure. I know there has been planting already, the more the merrier :o)
maybe the CC would allow a hide on the riverbank so everyone can enjoy twitching too..... that would be fab!!
Anon at 3-50 Maybe you could give the Rowan saplings to Graisg since he planted the Alders, and we would'nt want to stand on anyone's toes over the regeneration between the bridges. As for a hide, that might encourage undesirables as mentioned previously by Tommy Hogg.
Best just park above and twitch from there.
**** cover blown again anon :-)
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