Sheffield City Council’s moratorium on axing Sheffield’s trees is on hold for now according to Sheffield Star’s report indicates that the new rules brought in to manage trees is unlikely to result in a reprieve for much loved trees even with sensitive engineering solutions. As is the case with many of Sheffield’s mature and native tree population, the recently introduced policy allows for mature trees to be felled where they affect the curb or pavement. Over 2000 trees have been felled to date and thousands more are expected to be scheduled into the tree felling programme.
Sheffield Council apparently pays its contractor, Amey, a flat fee for running Street Force which is responsible for all road maintenance. It is bow being mooted that the Council’s new tree policy was introduced to help Amey make large savings by replacing mature trees with low cost, low maintenance, saplings.
Research shows significant health benefits of trees in urban areas, positive impact on helping to reduce asthma with an impact on environmental issues.
- http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/7004
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7374078.stm
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11889768
