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| TREE WATCH
A member of the Core Group has been responsible for working with Southwark Council to have new trees planted in the Shad Thames area to replace previously damaged and removed trees.
These include the two Lime trees at the rear of the Design Museum, two of the three Chinese Privets on the corner of Maguire Street and most notably the Populus Nigra located on Shad Thames, adjacent to Tower Bridge. The council primarily based its selection of species on the original tree which the new tree replaced. However, the Populus Nigra, planted in December 2004, was selected for Shad Thames as it was the same as the large specimen located outside the Tower of London.
At different times the new trees have needed protection from the drivers of large vehicles. The type of protection included requesting:
- bollards to be installed (which is why two of the three original Chinese Privets were removed)
- protective cages repaired/replaced
- trees to be straightened
On one occasion it was necessary to protect the Populus Nigra from a film crew’s equipment truck. Following a polite request to the driver for the vehicle to be moved away from the tree being ignored using a phone camera to take photographs of the offending vehicle worked wonders. Within minutes the film crew manager arrived and resolved the issue. The same photograph was used several months later when the Core Group had a meeting with the Southwark Film Office to highlight how insensitive some of the film crews can be to the Shad Thames environment (the SFO is only responsible for issuing licenses to film companies).
There aren’t many trees in Shad Thames and the few we have are quite precious.
| How can you help?
- If you see a tree under threat of damage and feel comfortable speaking to the person potentially causing the problem then make your views known or take a discrete photograph (this is always a valuable piece of evidence) or simply note down a vehicle registration number if applicable. You can then report it to the council or email us at:environment@shadthames.org.
- If you see a damaged tree which needs some assistance please report it to Southwark Council.
- If a tree is damaged beyond repair report it to the council. It is possible that they will replace it during the planting season (November to April).
- If a new tree is planted near your residence then you may consider adopting it by watering it during its first year, especially during a dry hot summer. The council is scheduled to water newly planted trees approximately 8 times a year.
Please see the Southwark Council document for more details and advice.
- There are occasions when Southwark Council are in a position plant trees in new locations. On such occasions the STRA Core Group will advertise on the website and email the Network Group for their suggestions, though it should be noted that not all locations are suitable.
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