The
felling of the catalpa tree within the play area has been a matter
of considerable controversy, which resulted in the Council seeking
the opinion of Tony Kirkham, head of the Arboretum at Kew Gardens.
We give below the full text of his report.
Site
Visit to Radnor Gardens , Twickenham.
Date
: 31 August 2005
Tree
: Catalpa speciosa , Northern
Catalpa
On
the above date I met Glen Harding (G.H.) (Arboricultural Officer,
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames) to discuss the contentious
removal of the Catalpa in Radnor Gardens .
On
inspection of the remaining stump left from the felling operation,
it is apparent that there was serious decay in the main trunk at ground
level. There is an open cavity at ground level on the Thames side
of the tree, which extends down into all the buttress roots and further
up the trunk and there are dead patches on the opposite side. There
is no clear evidence present of the fungus causing the rot; however
I would suspect that the disease is most probably Armillaria mellea
(Honey fungus). This was confirmed by G.H.
There
is also some evidence of vandalism (fire damage) in the cavity.
Due
to the nature of the wood in Catalpa spp. this would cause a weakness
at the base, rendering the tree unsafe.
I
was shown images of the tree prior to felling, which showed stag heading
in the upper crown, a symptom of root problems caused by Honey fungus.
History
of the removal
The
tree was attended to by contractors employed by LBRuT, who were to
crown reduce the tree by 30% to reduce the potential risk of the tree
to visitors in the Gardens.
When
climbing the tree and following pruning, it became apparent to the
contractors that dieback was worse than expected and the tree was
beyond saving. Following a visit by GH, who consulted the tree manager,
felling was sanctioned. The tree was felled immediately, the same
day in March 2005.
Importance
of the Tree
Following
some investigative work, this tree was one of the largest of its species
in Britain and there is a history behind its introduction. The tree
was a T.R.O.B.I.(2) specimen It was a grafted tree at 1.4 m (6 feet)
onto Southern Catalpa, a more common species in cultivation and possibly
predates the original seed raised introduction to Kew by Sargent in
1880. The estimated age of this tree predates 1860 (1) and
there is no knowledge of how it found its way into this park.
Findings
From
my observations, it was clear that this tree was a potential hazard
and with the nature and proximity of the surrounding targets (children's
playground), removal was probably the best recommendation. However
due to the history and the historical value of the tree, together
with the delicate group of Friends of Radnor Gardens, a more open
approach could have been made through a consultation process.
The
tree could have been made safe and a detailed hazard evaluation made,
showing the potential risk of retaining this specimen.
Following
assurances and good PR to Park users and the Friends of Radnor Gardens
that the tree was beyond saving, which the evaluation would have clearly
shown, the tree could then have been removed quickly and without fuss.
Recommendations
•
Prior to the removal or major works to be carried out on large,
historic trees in the borough, a detailed hazard evaluation must
be carried out even though removal is to be the final recommendation.
A
clear, open consultation process can then be followed using the
evaluation process to avoid the poor PR gained from the removal
of this Catalpa.
•
The T.R.O.B.I. Tree register must now be informed that this specimen
has been removed.
•
The remaining stump must now be removed, as there is no genetic
value in the sucker growth regenerating from the stump. (This
will be of the rootstock, Catalpa bignonioides ).
The
stump will also be infested with honey fungus which must be weakened
or eradicated prior to any further replanting.
•
A new planting of Catalpa speciosa should be made; there
is sufficient space for 2 trees. The use of a mycorrhizae ameliorant
would be recommended at planting to help the tree establish and
cope with the residues of honey fungus in its early years.
•
The involvement of the Friends of Radnor Gardens at the planting
may help to appease the volatile situation.
Tony
Kirkham Dip. Hort. Kew (Hons), MI Hort
Head
of the Arboretum, Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew
2
September 2005
Following
this, a statement issued by Councillor David Marlow, Cabinet Member
for Environment and Planning, and made public on the Celebration Day
for the opening of the play area, said:
The
Council regret the concern caused to local people by the sudden felling
of the Indian Bean Tree (catalpa speciosa).
The
tree was initrially programmed for pruning, folowing long standing
monitoring of its decline. When contractors started to prune
it, it was found to be much more decayed trhan we had previously understood.
In the interests of public safety the decision was taken to fell the
tree that day.
Since
the tree was felled, the Council has reviewed the decision making
process and taken independent advice from Kew Gardens. Kew have
concurred that felling the tree was the right decision and that there
is no arboricultural value in keeping the stump.
However they have found that the process could have been more sensitively
handled. As a result, the Council has now adopted a new procedure
to ensure that, unless there is imminent danger to the public, treesw
ill not be removed without prior explanation.
The
tree stump will be programmed for removal in November/December and
2 new trees will be planted to replace it.
