Mature trees felled in Manchester University 'improvements'

RGS | 06.12.2004 14:41 | Ecology

Manchester University has felled several mature trees as part of its 'improvements' to a pathway.

The trees that have been felled

Manchester University has felled several mature trees near the pathway that runs under the Mancunian Way, near Upper Brook Street, Chorlton On Medlock. A sign nearby carries the message 'working to improve'.

These poplar trees dated from the late 1960's, following the mass clearance of the area in 1964.

Residents in the area are alarmed at the number of trees that are being lost. Around fifteen mature trees have been felled in the last five years in nearby Gartside Gardens (the former Rusholme Road Cemetery).

For the third time in four years, residents at Silkin Court on Grosvenor Street are having to fight to save mature trees in their grounds. A large majority want the trees to stay. However, one car owner complained to local councillors about leaves and sap falling on his/her car and this was enough to persuade the City Council of the need to fell three mature sycamore trees.

At the same time, car-parking in the area is getting massively out of hand, with cycle lanes and pavements regularly blocked and pollution levels increasing noticeably.

RGS

Comments

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Additional photo

06.12.2004 14:56

The trees

Additional photo

RGS

Further photos

06.12.2004 20:43

April 2004

Dec 2004

Trees at Silkin Court

Further photos

RGS

Trees felled in Gartside Gardens, Chorlton on Medlock since 1998

06.12.2004 21:11

Trees felled in Gartside Gardens

Trees felled in Gartside Gardens, Chorlton on Medlock since 1998.

RGS

Tree preservation

08.12.2004 17:34

How do you get the council to 'declare' a Tree preservation order. years ago i was told that if someone applied then some species of trees over a certain girth would get a tpo. then i understood that all trees over a certain girth have, by default, a tpo, now im not sure i've asked the council who havn't replied yet (it was only 7 month ago)

any info appreciated

Croltbopper

Tree Preservation Order

20.12.2004 02:53

You have to write to the Tree Preservation Officer at the local council and ask for a tree, or group of trees, to be considered for protection. I understand it is done on some kind of point scoring system.

I am beginning to wonder if there is a deliberate policy of slowly chopping down as many as possible around Chorlton On Medlock. With the ever-expanding University and demands for building space in the area it seems likely to me that a move will be made to demolish all the council housing in the area in the next 20 years, to make way for something more profitable. And it will all be much easier without a load of protected trees.

Not sure if there are still bodies buried in Gartside Gardens, but I think so. Many tens of thousands according to records. But that didn't stop them in Cheetham Hill where they removed all the remains so they could build on the land.

I forgot to mention that Silkin Court has an urban orchard at the rear. Moves are under way there to make a website listing all trees in the area and also to apply for preservation orders on all trees if possible.

RGS