Keep your tree!
I have relatives from Kent who frequently camp in the Cotswolds
and come into Carterton for their shopping. They like Carterton
and always especially mention the trees lining the streets on all
the main roads into the town.
However over the last couple of years the amount of trees being
cut down is becoming increasingly worrying. We do not have
the resources to fight developers on this issue but would like to
persuade our residents to think twice before felling a tree on their
property. If you really have no other choice, then plant another
more suitable species to replace the tree you have removed.
I live with a large apple tree and 4 Damson trees, already in situ
when I moved in. Yes it is inconvenient for a couple of months
when the fruit is on the ground, getting trodden under foot and
generally looking messy but this mulch also provides a wealth
of wildlife with nourishment to sustain them through the winter
months. There is another large tree in our garden (species
unknown); apart from the amount of birds it offers safety and
shelter to, it makes a really good anchor for my hammock! We
have some variety of Pine to the side of the house. It sheds its
needles everywhere, creating a horrible mess but again is a haven
for birds and very nicely blocks out our view of a nearby sub-
station. Try to look at the positive reasons for keeping your tree.
There are some very good tree surgeons in the area that can
offer advice or undertake work that is not too expensive. One
tip I learned from our tree surgeon is if you are having problems
with birds sitting in trees near to your property and producing a
lot of colourful droppings, which can ruin car paint work and look
unsightly, just hang some old CD’s amongst the branches of the
tree. Even if you have to employ someone with a ladder to do
this for you it will still be cheaper than the cost of felling.
There is almost always another solution rather than the final one!
Teresa Whitford
Carterton Town Council
A Green
70
