Recent finds:
Not absolutely sure when this beech was felled. Could have been before or after SRWT's appearance at the March to Stop Tree Felling. See their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheWildlifeTrust.SheffieldandRotherham/
More:
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Without Value
More pictures of trees still standing this morning. These could well be on the target list of SRWT for whom trees have no value unless protected by their management plan and even then might disappear through an unfortunate accident. One of these could happen today as a tree has blown down over a bridleway. That will bring down the chain sawers whose appetite for destructive power could well lead to more felling.
Recent finds:
Not absolutely sure when this beech was felled. Could have been before or after SRWT's appearance at the March to Stop Tree Felling. See their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheWildlifeTrust.SheffieldandRotherham/
More:
Recent finds:
Not absolutely sure when this beech was felled. Could have been before or after SRWT's appearance at the March to Stop Tree Felling. See their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheWildlifeTrust.SheffieldandRotherham/
More:
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
"Yes, But That's Different"
It doesn't take a lot of guessing to know what SRWT will say if you accuse them of cutting trees down here and then supporting the Sheffield campaign to save street trees.
I'll quote them in advance ..... "But it's not the same thing at all. That's about city streets and this here is about good land management*"
Hmm! Well they can speak for themselves but I don't buy it. A tree is a tree and those out here are just as valuable as, and in many ways more than those in the suburbs. In fact the health of our local streets depends on having trees growing in the hills, soaking up the rainwater that otherwise adds to the threat of flooding lower down.
Very interesting to see one major difference: Try Googling Sheffield Save Our Trees on Google Images and what do you notice? Then scroll through the recent posts on this blog that deal with concerns about tree felling on Blacka. It's pretty obvious. All the pictures that come up on this blog are pictures of trees. The others are dominated by pictures of people, campaigners ( and the same people come up on a number of them, the usual rentalobby including local politicians who only join in when they know the bandwagon has gathered momentum.)
None of which is to say that the roadside trees are not a worthy cause. But who's standing up for the beauty of nature out here?
I'll quote them in advance ..... "But it's not the same thing at all. That's about city streets and this here is about good land management*"
Hmm! Well they can speak for themselves but I don't buy it. A tree is a tree and those out here are just as valuable as, and in many ways more than those in the suburbs. In fact the health of our local streets depends on having trees growing in the hills, soaking up the rainwater that otherwise adds to the threat of flooding lower down.
Very interesting to see one major difference: Try Googling Sheffield Save Our Trees on Google Images and what do you notice? Then scroll through the recent posts on this blog that deal with concerns about tree felling on Blacka. It's pretty obvious. All the pictures that come up on this blog are pictures of trees. The others are dominated by pictures of people, campaigners ( and the same people come up on a number of them, the usual rentalobby including local politicians who only join in when they know the bandwagon has gathered momentum.)
None of which is to say that the roadside trees are not a worthy cause. But who's standing up for the beauty of nature out here?
________________________________________________
* ... good land management, also known as Good Agricultural Condition. In other words land fit for Crop and Crap.
As We Say, or As We Do?
As is typical of a group that puts office work and their image as a higher priority than getting out into the fresh air and understanding the 'nature reserves' that are their own responsibility, SRWT has now produced a lengthy and convoluted official statement about their position regarding the controversy surrounding Sheffield's street trees.
Like many grand corporations whose business approach they admire, it's getting the publicity right that matters whatever sort of mess they're making of the real work they do.
What should we make of this, for instance:
We would also recommend that the Council and Amey consider giving people a longer notice period of tree removal when working outside of the normal ‘zonal works’. Two weeks is a very short time for people to understand what is being proposed and find out more information. For zonal works Amey/the Council provide roadshows well in advance where people can ask questions directly to staff involved.
This tree was felled by SRWT less than a fortnight ago - with no notice at all.
But we're used to double standards by now.
Latest victim, found this morning:
Monday, 16 November 2015
Please Leave
This slideshow of Blacka's trees can also be seen at this link:
Blacka's Trees
None of the trees in the slideshow can be thought to be safe from the chainsaw.
The H Word
In May this year somebody wrote a message across SRWT's notice at the entrance to Blacka. It asked for them to stop cutting down trees.
The message was, of course, ignored. Now SRWT is asking Sheffield City Council to ..... guess what? .... to stop cutting down trees.
I've selected a few pictures from earlier this year to show trees that are under threat from SRWT's policy. And remember nobody will be aware that a tree is shortly to be destroyed. The first anybody finds out about the destruction will be the sight of the severed limbs and the felled tree on the ground. It will be too late. So these trees in this landscape could be gone tomorrow.
This is just a small selection.
Does the Green Party have a view?
http://sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/2015/06/29/greens-demand-answers-on-streets-ahead-contract/
The message was, of course, ignored. Now SRWT is asking Sheffield City Council to ..... guess what? .... to stop cutting down trees.
I've selected a few pictures from earlier this year to show trees that are under threat from SRWT's policy. And remember nobody will be aware that a tree is shortly to be destroyed. The first anybody finds out about the destruction will be the sight of the severed limbs and the felled tree on the ground. It will be too late. So these trees in this landscape could be gone tomorrow.
This is just a small selection.
Does the Green Party have a view?
http://sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/2015/06/29/greens-demand-answers-on-streets-ahead-contract/
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Bandwagons
Alright, I said no comment was needed, but just in case the message was not obvious ........
The Blacka Moor Management Plan went through and was signed off by Sheffield's Directors and Cabinet Members. Now if you complain about anything they are doing, such as tree felling, SRWT refer you to the Management Plan as if to say you've had your chance to have your say.
The Streets Ahead scheme also went ahead after being signed off by Sheffield's Directors and Cabinet Members. This included the plans to fell numerous roadside trees. Once a grass roots campaign got going SRWT jumped on the bandwagon and identified it as a campaign against tree felling that they support. Did they make representations before it went through Cabinet? I'm pretty sure they did not.
They will jump on any bandwagon that helps to raise their profile and may increase membership among people who don't know what they are really like when they are the managers. Smithy Wood is another example. Principles and consistency are not to be expected in those whose main aim is empire building.
I support the need to keep roadside trees, but can anyone claim that the woodland in this picture with its mix of different trees is of less value than street trees anywhere in Sheffield?
Yet many of the trees there including larch* and pine are rated as undesirable by SRWT and could be for the chain saw. Some pine and larch have already been felled elsewhere on Blacka.
* The larch in the centre was felled last weekend.
The Blacka Moor Management Plan went through and was signed off by Sheffield's Directors and Cabinet Members. Now if you complain about anything they are doing, such as tree felling, SRWT refer you to the Management Plan as if to say you've had your chance to have your say.
The Streets Ahead scheme also went ahead after being signed off by Sheffield's Directors and Cabinet Members. This included the plans to fell numerous roadside trees. Once a grass roots campaign got going SRWT jumped on the bandwagon and identified it as a campaign against tree felling that they support. Did they make representations before it went through Cabinet? I'm pretty sure they did not.
They will jump on any bandwagon that helps to raise their profile and may increase membership among people who don't know what they are really like when they are the managers. Smithy Wood is another example. Principles and consistency are not to be expected in those whose main aim is empire building.
I support the need to keep roadside trees, but can anyone claim that the woodland in this picture with its mix of different trees is of less value than street trees anywhere in Sheffield?
Yet many of the trees there including larch* and pine are rated as undesirable by SRWT and could be for the chain saw. Some pine and larch have already been felled elsewhere on Blacka.
* The larch in the centre was felled last weekend.
No Comment Needed
From Save Sheffield Trees facebook page.
This posting:
But the comment facility is available.
This posting:
"Fantastic turnout, Sheffield Tree Saving People! You made your voices heard today! Prof. Ian Rotherham and Rob McBride, Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, The Woodland Trust, Dave Dillner and many others spoke out against the indiscriminate felling of street trees, loud and clear from Sheffield Town Hall steps. The message is plain: we are not going away, and we will fight for our street trees!"
But the comment facility is available.
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