By Katherine Turner
Leeds City Council are set to fell 34 trees at Western Flatts Cliff Park in Wortley after a tree safety survey was completed.
The trees are being removed due to either being dead, in irreversible decline or are host to fungi or disease. A further 13 trees will have canopy reduction or deadwood works.
The trees in question are established Ash trees (that can grow up to 100 feet tall) and mature cherry trees. The trees have been given an urgency category of 3A, which means the work will be undertaken within six months.
As reported in WLD, LCC last year planted a number of trees in the park, with a target of 3,000 to be planted.
But local residents have voiced concerns that the number of large, established trees are being replaced by smaller trees and bushes such as Holly and Cherry, which cannot provide the same habitat for wildlife as the existing trees.
Wortley resident Julie Davies explained: “I feel sad and angry about the plans to cut down so many trees. Could this situation have been avoided if the park had not been neglected for so many years? Could it still be avoided?
“The trees define the character of the park, provide shelter, homes for wildlife and make the park attractive and welcoming. The appearance is going to change dramatically, where 3 trees in a row are to be removed the space left will be vast.”
WLD understands that the council plan to plant 22 cherry trees to replace the 34 being removed, but residents are unsure if this is a big enough step. Julie Davies thinks that the council “need to maintain the park” and “have a plan to replace the trees.”
A spokesperson from the Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park group said they understood the reasons for the felling.
“We are aware that there are a number of trees to be felled in the park following a recent tree safety survey,” they said in a statement.
“While we are sad to see so many established trees being removed we understand the reasons for this.
“We are already working with the council, rangers and woodland creation team to discuss plans for new trees to replace those being removed as well as other options for improving the biodiversity around the park.”
According to the World Resources Institute trees can help make the temperature feel up to 14 degrees cooler under a canopy of trees. During the recent heatwaves the tree-lined shaded areas of the park have been well-used amongst dog walkers, families having picnics and those playing ball games.
Farnley & Wortley Labour councillor Kate Haigh said: “It is sad to see that some of the trees in the park have to be felled because they are either dead, dying, or unsafe, but we are working with Forestry and the Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park to provide suitable replacements.
“This is in addition to the woodland creation that that took place last year at the bottom of the park. We hope that these new trees will bring pleasure to generations to come just as those that have reached the end of their lives.
“Councillor Adrian McCluskey and I continue to work to bring improvements to our parks and green spaces, and we are grateful to the Friends of Western Flatts Cliff Park for their work.”
Farnley & Wortley, Reform UK councillor Wenzdae Robbins told WLD: “I was saddened to hear that 34 trees at Western Flatts have been identified for felling following a recent forestry survey. The trees are an important part of the park and I completely understand why local residents are concerned.
“I am encouraged, however, that replacement planting is being proposed, including new cherry trees at Western Flatts Cliff Park, developed alongside the Friends of Western Flatts. I am currently speaking with council officers to better understand the findings of the survey, the reasons behind the proposed removals, and the best way forward. My priority is making sure the correct decision has been made and that residents are properly informed throughout the process.”
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Following a recent tree survey undertaken in the park, a total of 34 trees were identified as needing to be removed.
“These trees are unfortunately either dead, in irreversible decline or have significant issues which will severely limit their safe, useful life expectancy and present a potential hazard to park users and a possible health risk to other trees.
“We will also be carrying out some pruning works to move deadwood and reduce the tree canopy in some areas.
“Officers will be attempting to complete these works within the next six months, prioritising those trees which present an imminent risk to public safety.
“As always, we are committed to protecting healthy trees while ensuring visitors can safely enjoy our parks and green spaces. We will also be working closely with woodland creation and parks colleagues to look at an appropriate replanting scheme and will replant all lost trees with standard replacements when appropriate.
“As part of that process, we will also engage with the stakeholders regarding what species of tree are selected.”
Sponsored content
We are seeing far too many mature trees being felled. Could they have been saved If the Councils forestry team had identified potential problems earlier? Replacing them with saplings and ‘whips’ is not good enough. We have a massive Arium that should be used to grow trees on substantially before replanting them which would give them much more of a chance to establish themselves and grow on into maturity. Across the city these ‘Woodland creation’ sites are failing miserably on the whole, whips planted and left to look after themselves without any tree guards to protect them, resulting in what can only be described as eyesores, the ‘Woodland creation’ scheme could and should have been better thought out and better managed in my opinion.
Sadly you are totally correct. Problem is there is no maintenance plan and like the planting that takes place alongside new roads, motorways etc literally 90 % perish.