Our shared green area in Tollcross, Edinburgh has only one good sized ash tree in it that for decades has provided wildlife habitats and immense seasonal and year round pleasure to local residents in tenement buildings who overlook it. We have no other green to see from our windows above ground floor level. The tree is in a good position and the people below love the woody area it has created for them.

The tree sadly has become the focus of one new neighbour's attempt to be rid of it to give more air and light to his west side shared green, others on his stair love the tree. He is renting and has  shown no flexibility to his immediate neighbours with his  projects in the green.  The saga came to light too late to save the removal of one large bough to please the new neighbour, diminishing the tree. The company of  the tree surgeon involved is hell bent on felling the tree for their full £1,600 fee. They do not mind what they write or how they manoeuvre to this end,  causing a lot of stress to the local people, owners and neighbours, who are  trying  to have a second tree surgeon, Stevie of  Special Branch Scotland,  go up into the tree to give a second professional opinion. This experienced Special Branch tree surgeon, saw the tree from the ground on 23rd August last week and said it is healthy and can be helped to reshape and be made safe. He was enthusiastic and positive about the tree's future. "Ash are good recoverers" he said.

We move that this second and even a further third opinion from a council tree officer for example,  be allowed to be carried out calmly in the near future.  That no further major tree surgery be taken on the tree before winter or early spring, when no nesting is taking place as it is now and the tree is dormant. As is the traditional way.

"Younger generation tree surgery with their mulching machinery etc show little care or respect for trees or local people. Profit is their thing" (Roger Cowper, retired tree surgeon Selkirk, Scottish Borders, UK ). We move that this approach is not carried out on our tree, with the aim of improved tree care standards on all trees in shared greens in  Edinburgh and nationwide ; for all  trees and theiir wildlife and the locals who love both. That felling is only done as a very last resort.