TWO lovely 100 year-old lime trees in the Peace Garden next to the Holy Trinity Church, (Stroud Green, London, N4) are threatened with felling by the Diocese of London who own the land.

They are as old as some of the houses built in the area, home to some beautiful birds including the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Kids from St Aidan’s school play here after school, enjoying its Autumn colours and the cooling shade it brings in our increasingly hot Summers. The peace garden was set up to commemorate those who died in a devastating bombing on the nearby Granville Road in World War II.

The Diocese believe the limes are implicated in some cracking of the vicarage, but we are questioning this as insurers tried to fell the tree in 2009, and the council challenged it and kept the tree. Why not now? We think there are ways to prevent the Limes being felled. A root blocker could be used for example and full ecological reports need to be carried out. An arboriculturist has looked at the site and says more measures could be employed to save the trees – it’s very hard to prove any of the trees are causing damage.

Trees are increasingly blamed for subsidence issues by insurers but can be only one small part of the problem. As our summers get hotter in the Climate Crisis, our house foundations, built on clay soil, are drying out and shifting, causing cracks. But we can’t simply blame trees for all structural damage – we would have no trees left in London if this was the case. (Since 2008, Haringey council have felled almost 3000 street trees.)

We NEED MATURE TREES, they clean our air and absorb carbon – these trees in their lifetimes, have stored 2 TONNES of carbon. 

If you are concerned at the loss of this trees, please communicate your concerns to the Diocese of London and the following people ASAP as well as sharing our petition!! :

 

General secretary - Richard.gough@london.anglican.org

Head of Environment - brian.Cuthbertson@london.anglican.org

Head of Housing - richard.barrett@london.anglican.org,

Repairs Manager -  Nick.Leach@london.anglican.org 

Archdeacon.Hampstead@london.anglican.org  Friar John Hawkins, Archdeacon of Hampstead 

The Diocese staff list is here for further information https://www.london.anglican.org/about/diocesan-staff/ - 

Contact us to express your support and find out how you can help: North London Tree Protectors, email: parklandwalktrees@gmail.com