http://thewatertowerrestaurant.blogspot.com/
Have created this today - 2 blog sites to keep me busy.......I'm hoping to move on from planning stuff quite soon now. But will keep the woodland info going for posterity. Maybe a little less frequently.
On this subject -
Got the white ragged robin plant today at Dobbies. Do hope it self seeds, it is just beautiful. Have my sights set now on a wild flower meadow on the strip from our gate along to the Bowling Green. Have seen this done at Springfield Mill. It is just a joyful site to see a meadow of grasses and wild flowers. Clean the ground up first - plant yellow rattle to sterilise for the first year or 2 and then sow the wild flower seed. Paience is a virtue. Will need to get some.
Last entry on planning hopefully. The DPEA site link - if anyone is interested. Some entries yesterday have already been taken off. What a guddle. Its just a planning appeal but I guess it's an opportunity for people to post stuff. We still have 3rd party rebuttal to do but it won't be much. Our main one is in.
http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?T=0&so=16&id=qJ13523&ps=10&pg=7#Categories
The Water Tower
The Water Tower at Dusk
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bank Stabilisation
These documents were included with our appeal in June. They tell the whole story. Check the dates of all 3 communications.
14th Jan 2011
045/02/ Planning
Kingsley
Sent by email
--------------------------------------------------------------
34words
Gerry Goldwyre
So it is interesting that someone thinks that we waited until just prior to the Planning Committee Meeting to dispute this description. In raising the confusion of the works they have done a lot to facilitate the claim for expenses since we now know where the errors emanate from in the council.
Oh but some lessons could be learned from our planning application.
14th Jan 2011
045/02/ Planning
Kingsley
Retrospective application in garden ground.
Following our discussion today I confirm that you agree that the wording on the notice (posted in the street) is inaccurate in that it describes work to broaden the path as “Bank stabilisation” This is wholly wrong. Please ensure anyone looking at the application is made aware of this fact. As stated before what we have done is little more than gardening.Should you require any further information please let me know.
Gerry GoldwyreSent by email
--------------------------------------------------------------
15th Feb 2011
Kingsley
Following my letters and assorted conversations, I note that the description as changed by the Planning department has not been altered to reflect the actual description as per our submission.
I first wrote to you about this on the 14th January 2011. Please alter with immediate effect.
If for any reason you cannot do this please let me know by return.
Thank you
Kind regards
Gerry Goldwyre
Kind regards
Gerry Goldwyre
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MR Drinkwater Senior Planning Officer Midlothain Council Fairfield House Dalkeith
7th Feb. 2011MR Drinkwater Senior Planning Officer Midlothain Council Fairfield House Dalkeith
Delivered by hand
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Drinkwater
Application for retrospective Planning Permission .
We have been advised, for legal reasons that this letter remains strictly confidential, as it may be referred to at a future date. We ask that this request can be met If it can’t can you please advise.
The reason for writing is the description that we submitted for our retrospective submission is very different to the description that is titled on the councils’ on line application and sent to the press.
We believe that this description, changed without our approval, has led to people believing the works are more expansive than is the case. Especially the use of wholly inaccurate “works to stabilise the banking” This has caused concern in the community and adds to the hysteria of groups like the EAS and the Esk Valley trust. As highlighted in their letters of objection.
As you will be aware of the history regarding our application, we were awarded substantial compensation form the reporter, against the council, because in the reports words the Council were wrong to change the description of our application, and this change heightened concerns locally. Despite this it appears the lessons of the past have not been learned. I have on around 20 occasions both spoken to and written to your Council officers explaining there have been NO STABILISATION works to the banking. The use of the word stabilise infers that the banking is inherently unstable and that engineering works have been carried out by us.
I have no wish to be critical of you or any other officer, as I appreciate the extremely difficult task you and they face. I am merely documenting my concerns, as part of a paper trail.
As this application is now going to committee and any officials who read that there are bank stabilisation works and erection of timber decking may believe the works are far more extensive than they actually are. Especially as some elected members have both visited and spoken to the some of the individuals who echo the description you offer. I therefore insist that anyone with an interest in the decision making process is made fully aware of the description as offered on line is an inaccurate description. The details on our application are accurate and were agreed in advance by yourself and Ms Pryde prior to me making a formal submission. For clarity I have listed below both the Councils description and our description as submitted.
Our application read
1. Replacement of temporary store / platform to permanent store platform with glass protection rail.
2. Boundary fence replacement.
3. Path broadening and guard rail.
4. Access steps and guard rail to woodland.
33words 2. Boundary fence replacement.
3. Path broadening and guard rail.
4. Access steps and guard rail to woodland.
MDC description
34words
Should you require any clarification please call or write. Thank you
Yours sincerely Gerry Goldwyre
So it is interesting that someone thinks that we waited until just prior to the Planning Committee Meeting to dispute this description. In raising the confusion of the works they have done a lot to facilitate the claim for expenses since we now know where the errors emanate from in the council.
Oh but some lessons could be learned from our planning application.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Butterflies and Woodland Management
I visited Springfield yesterday and clocked some beatiful butterflies in the open woodland. I see a few at the water tower wood as well. My knowledge of butterfiles is pretty poor so I thought I might look them up and check the qualities of the woodland that are important to them. I am confident that water tower wood management has helped the butterflies. I did cut back a lot of bramble in water tower wood but it would be impossibe to remove it. I checked this morning and it is back with a vengance. A large area of soft new bramble growth. It looks very attractive after all the rain. In fact the growth on the bank is just wonderful at the moment and even the steep run off area has creeping wild flowers taking hold at last. What a joy.
Woodland butterflies provide a good illustration of the importance of light for overall biodiversity in a woodland.
Woodlands support more than three-quarters of all British butterfly species. Of these, two-thirds are currently under threat. This is partly because of the overall loss of woodland habitats, but also as a result of the decline in traditional woodland management techniques such as coppicing.
The caterpillars of most of the woodland butterflies actually feed on herbaceous plants and grasses growing on the woodland floor. Of the 30-40 breeding species which might be found in southern woods in Britain (the number declines northwards for climatic reasons), only 4 species have caterpillars which actually feed on trees!
The decline in management practices such as coppicing in woodlands, has meant that many woods have become dark, dense places, lacking the openings and clearings which allow for the development of a diverse ground flora. As a result, the food plants of many of the butterflies are absent, as are the butterflies themselves. In this case, the trees are not as important as the spaces between them. Restoring a range of butterfly species to a woodland may therefore involve removing trees rather than planting them.
Woodland butterflies provide a good illustration of the importance of light for overall biodiversity in a woodland.
Woodlands support more than three-quarters of all British butterfly species. Of these, two-thirds are currently under threat. This is partly because of the overall loss of woodland habitats, but also as a result of the decline in traditional woodland management techniques such as coppicing.
The caterpillars of most of the woodland butterflies actually feed on herbaceous plants and grasses growing on the woodland floor. Of the 30-40 breeding species which might be found in southern woods in Britain (the number declines northwards for climatic reasons), only 4 species have caterpillars which actually feed on trees!
The decline in management practices such as coppicing in woodlands, has meant that many woods have become dark, dense places, lacking the openings and clearings which allow for the development of a diverse ground flora. As a result, the food plants of many of the butterflies are absent, as are the butterflies themselves. In this case, the trees are not as important as the spaces between them. Restoring a range of butterfly species to a woodland may therefore involve removing trees rather than planting them.
 | This Speckled Wood butterfly is on Lesser Celandine, which may carpet a woodland floor in gold in early Spring. The Speckled Wood caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses. |
The herbaceous flora in a wood is also an important food source for the adult butterflies, as they require flowers to nectar upon. Favourite flowers for nectaring woodland butterflies are Bramble, thistles, Ragwort and Fleabane.
 | It is not only butterflies which benefit from having a diversity of plants in the field and ground layers of a woodland. Many of the common tree species are wind pollinated and their flowers therefore tend to be of little value as food for insects. In contrast to this, the majority of the shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants in a woodland are insect pollinated. They therefore provide sugar-rich nectar within the flowers to attract insects for pollination. Moths and flies, as well as butterflies will feed on this, while protein-rich pollen may be utilized by bees and a variety of beetles and flies. Ivy (left) is a particularly useful species as it flowers late in the year when few other flowers remain. |
The fruits and seeds of the woodland plants are also important sources of food for invertebrates, birds and small mammals. Different plants flower and set seed over widely differing timescales and seasons. The greater the variety of plants present, the longer the period when flowers and or seeds/fruits will be available to feed the woodland animals and birds. There is also less chance that the failure of a particular species to flower, or fruit successfully one year will devastate the food supply, because there will be other alternatives available.
This is not to say that areas where there is good tree cover and shade should not also be present in a woodland. These areas are important for a variety of other plant and animal species which cannot survive in more open areas. The cover and shade provide a damp, cool, sheltered microclimate in which certain species thrive. This includes a number of invertebrates, mosses, liverworts and ferns. It even extends to animals living in rotting wood, in that logs left to decay in full sun usually have a comparatively meagre biodiversity compared to those positioned in shade.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Alice Bowe Sunday Times and Intelligent Gardening
I'm just reading about this garden designer, Alice Bowe. Her article in the Sunday Times today makes great reading and I find myself saying - that's what I am doing. She comments on the mistakes she see's in everyones gardens. God I have been there! narrow borders, leggy plants, lush foliage no flowers.
Work with nature from the outset rather than struggle against it. Start with water and waste. Then consider your soil - like good underwear it is the key to looking good. (I'm off to buy new underwear on Monday).
Stop digging - Oh joy......
Stop walking on wet soil - OK
Start mulching instead. Yep I am doing that nowadays.
Grow green manures - I have done it this year for the first time. Alfalfa is taking off in an area of ground.
Choose the plants - be rutheless. Consider a classic investment piece such as yew, holly or hornbeam. Well did I not discover the most beautiful mature hornbeam tree in the woodland this year. It does look like Beech but with a smaller leave. As Alice says it tolerates wind, drought and flooding so it is better than Beech. That's it - the Beech hedge is going. I planted it last autumn in front of our new fence but it is so wind damaged it is letting the side down. Hornbeam - my new friend......where to buy it though?
Other plants she recommends and I'm looking for - Amsonia - you can get this at Kevock Gardens for £7 per 2 litre pot.
Hosta Blue Angel - has white flowers - also from Kevock.
Lychnis white robin - saw it in Dobbies, don't see it on the Kevock list so might have to do Dobbies for this one. Its a relative of the wild flower "Ragged Robin" which a neighbour has given to me. His dog was named after it. I'll plant this in an area where I can watch its progress. Hopefully it will self seed. It should.
What else in garden plant chat. Well the Sumach row is just beautiful. The Blue poppies planted behind it are past flowering but looking healthy. The Hosta's are flowering. Buddleia looks great - dark purple one. Climbers are all taking off and growing up and over the wall - Clematis and Honeysuckle. Bamboos in the garden proper have appreciated the rain. Campanula stuck into crevices of the wall have worked. One Acer badly damaged but the other is OK. Damaged one is in the wrong place. Ferns look good as ever. Forest flame that was cut back has grown back really healthy. Will cut back other ones in future. Pruning - never be afraid, just do it at the right time and go for it.
Hydrangeas - one in pot has loads of flowers. Two in a border are all green leaves and no flower heads. Too much rich soil probably.
Excuse my ramblings but if I write this lot in here I'll refer back to it later. Otherwise I scribble it down or photograph it and lose it. Get a blog site - its a bit like a lifelong diary.
If you get the Sunday Times look for this girl Alice. As the heading states she is talking about Intelligent Design for gardeners. I proudly state the new buzz words for gardening will be - Intelligent Gardening. You saw it here first.
xx
Work with nature from the outset rather than struggle against it. Start with water and waste. Then consider your soil - like good underwear it is the key to looking good. (I'm off to buy new underwear on Monday).
Stop digging - Oh joy......
Stop walking on wet soil - OK
Start mulching instead. Yep I am doing that nowadays.
Grow green manures - I have done it this year for the first time. Alfalfa is taking off in an area of ground.
Choose the plants - be rutheless. Consider a classic investment piece such as yew, holly or hornbeam. Well did I not discover the most beautiful mature hornbeam tree in the woodland this year. It does look like Beech but with a smaller leave. As Alice says it tolerates wind, drought and flooding so it is better than Beech. That's it - the Beech hedge is going. I planted it last autumn in front of our new fence but it is so wind damaged it is letting the side down. Hornbeam - my new friend......where to buy it though?
Other plants she recommends and I'm looking for - Amsonia - you can get this at Kevock Gardens for £7 per 2 litre pot.
Hosta Blue Angel - has white flowers - also from Kevock.
Lychnis white robin - saw it in Dobbies, don't see it on the Kevock list so might have to do Dobbies for this one. Its a relative of the wild flower "Ragged Robin" which a neighbour has given to me. His dog was named after it. I'll plant this in an area where I can watch its progress. Hopefully it will self seed. It should.
What else in garden plant chat. Well the Sumach row is just beautiful. The Blue poppies planted behind it are past flowering but looking healthy. The Hosta's are flowering. Buddleia looks great - dark purple one. Climbers are all taking off and growing up and over the wall - Clematis and Honeysuckle. Bamboos in the garden proper have appreciated the rain. Campanula stuck into crevices of the wall have worked. One Acer badly damaged but the other is OK. Damaged one is in the wrong place. Ferns look good as ever. Forest flame that was cut back has grown back really healthy. Will cut back other ones in future. Pruning - never be afraid, just do it at the right time and go for it.
Hydrangeas - one in pot has loads of flowers. Two in a border are all green leaves and no flower heads. Too much rich soil probably.
Excuse my ramblings but if I write this lot in here I'll refer back to it later. Otherwise I scribble it down or photograph it and lose it. Get a blog site - its a bit like a lifelong diary.
If you get the Sunday Times look for this girl Alice. As the heading states she is talking about Intelligent Design for gardeners. I proudly state the new buzz words for gardening will be - Intelligent Gardening. You saw it here first.
xx
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Planning Appeal
I know some folks use this site to get up to date on our planning appeal. Well it's all going in accordance with the DPEA procedure although they have extended the time line after Midlothian Council failed to put a time line on their standard letter to third parties. Boy this council really manage to make some annoying mistakes. The up side is though that the DPEA process time line does not change overall, so that's fine.
The site is filling up with documents at an amazing rate. I'm sure this must be atypical for this type of application. In fact 2 new people appeared with e mails to the DPEA stating that they had complained originally (but they are not on the council list of representors? and I certainly never saw complaints from these 2 people previously - are they making it up?) It seems very odd. You don't have to have represented previously as I understand things - you can make representation no matter. I think - but I'm not sure- that no new matters can be introduced.
The planning matters seem pretty clear to me and I'm sure all sensible people will continue to appraise in planning terms. I am personally enjoying the RP9 debate since we called our house RP9 and this is the policy that means a lot to me. I actually share this with a Mrs Kate Duthie - I think its meaning does need to be explored. What is a locational need? what about the caravan park in Kevockvale in another area impacted by RP9. What will happen there? trouble is the caravans were there before RP9 so I don't think you can take them away and re plant woodland for example. But no-one wants to give permission for fixed housing to replace the caravans - even if the housing would look better. Actually the caravans have a somewhat attractive element to them. In a way maybe that only I might appreciate from my trips around Arizona. I don't suppose that makes it acceptable in Scotland though!
Here's the DPEA site if anyone wants to browse. You could be there a long time.......
http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?so=3&id=qJ13523&ps=10&pg=1#Categories
Oh and the 2 new people that e mailed the DPEA (Adrienne and Nichola) are the offspring of recent third party representors Mr and Mrs Bowie - mum and dad's letters get fairly personal and are factually wide of the mark on a number of counts but never mind. I can't remember them all there are so many - 1 good example is that the 2 management plans are in some way different but they are not - just 10 or so years apart, written by 2 different people as it happens, and both paid for by ourselves and a necessary requirement in my opinion for the management of any significant piece of woodland. As well as getting the plan, the advice from the experts is second to none. I just soak it up - bit like my summer sandals in the rain this morning.......as I teetered across the road to pick up some crockery.
Finally for Donald - the house is no bigger than the approved plans signed off by the council for the actual house and a minor mod at the decking approved under a non material variation; and you know it. So please move on from that. Your argument lies elsewhere and its actually none of your business.
Happy Saturday.
Just in
From: Millie Bowie <millieatthemill@fsmail.net>
To: susan goldwyre <susangoldwyre@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Sat, 16 July, 2011 13:33:17
Subject:
The site is filling up with documents at an amazing rate. I'm sure this must be atypical for this type of application. In fact 2 new people appeared with e mails to the DPEA stating that they had complained originally (but they are not on the council list of representors? and I certainly never saw complaints from these 2 people previously - are they making it up?) It seems very odd. You don't have to have represented previously as I understand things - you can make representation no matter. I think - but I'm not sure- that no new matters can be introduced.
The planning matters seem pretty clear to me and I'm sure all sensible people will continue to appraise in planning terms. I am personally enjoying the RP9 debate since we called our house RP9 and this is the policy that means a lot to me. I actually share this with a Mrs Kate Duthie - I think its meaning does need to be explored. What is a locational need? what about the caravan park in Kevockvale in another area impacted by RP9. What will happen there? trouble is the caravans were there before RP9 so I don't think you can take them away and re plant woodland for example. But no-one wants to give permission for fixed housing to replace the caravans - even if the housing would look better. Actually the caravans have a somewhat attractive element to them. In a way maybe that only I might appreciate from my trips around Arizona. I don't suppose that makes it acceptable in Scotland though!
Here's the DPEA site if anyone wants to browse. You could be there a long time.......
http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?so=3&id=qJ13523&ps=10&pg=1#Categories
Oh and the 2 new people that e mailed the DPEA (Adrienne and Nichola) are the offspring of recent third party representors Mr and Mrs Bowie - mum and dad's letters get fairly personal and are factually wide of the mark on a number of counts but never mind. I can't remember them all there are so many - 1 good example is that the 2 management plans are in some way different but they are not - just 10 or so years apart, written by 2 different people as it happens, and both paid for by ourselves and a necessary requirement in my opinion for the management of any significant piece of woodland. As well as getting the plan, the advice from the experts is second to none. I just soak it up - bit like my summer sandals in the rain this morning.......as I teetered across the road to pick up some crockery.
Finally for Donald - the house is no bigger than the approved plans signed off by the council for the actual house and a minor mod at the decking approved under a non material variation; and you know it. So please move on from that. Your argument lies elsewhere and its actually none of your business.
Happy Saturday.
Just in
From: Millie Bowie <millieatthemill@fsmail.net>
To: susan goldwyre <susangoldwyre@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Sat, 16 July, 2011 13:33:17
Subject:
Dear Mrs Goldwyre,
It was suggested to me by someone today, that I should read your blog which mentions my daughters by name in relation to your Planning appeal. How dare you!
My daughters lived here for many years. They continue to visit with their families on a regular basis. One day they will inherit this property. They therefore have a legitimate interest in the integrity of our surroundings, and consequently your Planning Appeal.; I note several of your letters of support come from south of the border, one from as far away as London! What interest can these people possibly have in what takes place here - other than to lend their names in support of you ?
You do not know my daughters, so it is clear that you have been doing your own private research into my family. Should I find their identities bandied around your narcissistic ramblings again, or elsewhere in the public domain, I shall find it necessary to pursue you through the proper channels!
You have a perfectly legitimate and legal right to pursue your appeal through the correct channels. As do other people to object to them! You must learn to live with this!
Yours sincerely, Millie Bowie.
My reply
It was suggested to me by someone today, that I should read your blog which mentions my daughters by name in relation to your Planning appeal. How dare you!
My daughters lived here for many years. They continue to visit with their families on a regular basis. One day they will inherit this property. They therefore have a legitimate interest in the integrity of our surroundings, and consequently your Planning Appeal.; I note several of your letters of support come from south of the border, one from as far away as London! What interest can these people possibly have in what takes place here - other than to lend their names in support of you ?
You do not know my daughters, so it is clear that you have been doing your own private research into my family. Should I find their identities bandied around your narcissistic ramblings again, or elsewhere in the public domain, I shall find it necessary to pursue you through the proper channels!
You have a perfectly legitimate and legal right to pursue your appeal through the correct channels. As do other people to object to them! You must learn to live with this!
Yours sincerely, Millie Bowie.
My reply
Millie
I pointed out your daughters claim that they were original complainers when they do not appear on the listing for the application. I pointed out your personalised letter available for all to read on the DPEA site. I have no problem with anyones right to complain but they are all public documents and when they are registered I have a right to make that available on other media. In the same way as your daughters appeared on my facebook page! I am not in the habit of researching your family. I have no such interest. However - should you or your family ever need my help I would never withhold that no matter the personalised comments you have made about myself and Gerry.
Our supports from London come from the lovely girls that worked with us in the past. How dare you criticise that. They are also - likely to inherit our property! so that gives me just as much family right as you.
Good luck with your "proper channels" I wait to see what you will find considering all my postings are legitimate and accurate. Can you say the same for your letters regarding our planning application? I doubt it.
I have learned to live with your ramblings and your innacurate comments even although they are often highly personalised. That is why I use a blog site. It helps. You will also have to learn to live with what is MY legitimate right to counter your statements and to discover your daughters through a social media site which they chose to make open - to anyone who had their name.
Please pass this e mail on to your daughters. I have no truck with any complaints they wish to make. Please ask them to try to stick to genuine planning reasons.
Kind Regards
Susan
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Coppicing, Felling and Thinning
A most interesting article from Eco tree care and Conservation.
Coppicing, Felling & Thinning
Coppicing is an ancient form of sustainable woodland management which makes use of the ability that some trees have to regenerate themselves when they are cut. In this system the tree is cut to ground level in the winter months and then left to regrow. When it reaches a harvestable size it is recut. This continual cutting creates a low cut stump that regenerates, known as a 'Coppice Stool'. The coppice is re-cut on a 'cycle' or 'rotation'. The idea is that woodland areas, known as 'cants' or 'coups' are cut sequentially. The number of these areas being the time in years for the trees to reach a harvestable size so there is always annual produce.
It provides the understorey in a woodland and is a regular and sustainable source of timber when managed properly. The most common trees to be coppiced are hazel, hornbeam, sweet chestnut, oak & willow.
Coppice is a major type of woodland in Britain, which on the whole has unfortunately been left without management since the second world war. The result is that much of our coppice woodland is desperately in need of re-cutting in order to preserve its integrity and maintain its overall health. We are at a stage now where some of the coppiced trees are falling apart and so falling over. As time goes on the ability of overstood stools to regenerate diminishes and often upon cutting they may die completely. The woodland will then require re-stocking.
Coppice when allowed to become 'overstood' has a tendency to fall apart and therefore the quality of the woodland decreases
Bringing coppice back into 'rotation' now may just save such overstood coppice, increasing biodiversity and creating a local sustainable source of wood fuel and timber
Coppicing is also important for biodiversity in woodlands as the system means that there is a range of different tree ages and heights across the whole woodland, with all the diversity of wildlife that comes with this variation.
  | |
Hornbeam Coppice - Hertfordshire | Coppice Produce |
Felling & Thinning
Where trees have been managed for timber the standard activities of felling and thinning are part of the management plan.
Selective felling is undertaken to carefully remove trees ready for timber conversion , we have a Peterson for onsite milling if conversion is required on site. This can help reduce extraction costs and damage. Sometimes it is the only viable option for extracting timber from difficult sites.
Selective felling is also carried out where there is a need to fell for creating clearings or ponds, or for health and safety reasons.
Thinning - When woodlands are planted the young trees are closely planted so they compete with each other and 'draw' each other up towards the light. This encourages straight growth. As the trees grow older thinning takes place periodically. The purpose is to selectively remove poor specimen trees and/or to give more space and light to those with a greater potential to grow into fine mature trees.
The amount of thinning must be carefully considered. Over-thinning can lead to the phenomena of 'Windthrow'. Trees as they grow seek to equalise the stresses and strains across the whole of their structure, only putting on extra woody growth in the areas required to 'engineer' a strong a stable structure. Where trees have grown up together they shield and buffer each other from their environment, collectively they are strong, individualy they are relatively weak. The act of woodland thinning removes neighbouring trees from around the trees to remain, therefore for a time these remaining trees are vulnerable to gusts of wind that can 'get into' the stand of trees. If the wind does get into a stand of thinned trees and starts to blow over vulnerable trees then effectively more trees are being thinnned and the result can be a 'Domino effect'. A lot of value can be lost if this occurs. Apart from our expeirience and knowledge of tree growth, we will also consider the topography of the location and the prevailing wind direction. Decisions can then be taken to thin less in some areas and thin more in others accordingly.
Clearing Rhododendron, Sycamore & Laurel
Invasive non-native species such as Rhododendron, Sycamore & laurel can become a challenge in any woodland if they are left to grow unchecked.
Where shooting has recently been the main use of a woodlands, Rhododendron and Laurel were often planted to give cover to game birds bred in the woods . Or it may be that they have 'escaped' from nearby planted ornamental gardens. Whatever the case they can develop into a major problem with the eventual result in some cases being that the woodland becomes pure Rhododendron or heavily dominated by laurel.
Sycamore is adept at setting seed and in some woodlands can develop to become invasive casting a deep shade under which few other species stand a chance.
Rhododendron
Rhododendron, although a beautiful flowering tree, becomes quickly invasive.
It self-seeds and propagates by lateral branches spreading out and rooting. Rhododendron spreads out covering the ground with a deep dark shade under which nothing else can grow. The break down of its leaves acidifies the soil as it goes. In some cases removal of Rhododendron is something that can only be achieved by consistent effort over many years, especially if it has already become well established. There are woodland improvement grants available from the Forestry Commission to remove Rhododendron from woodlands, which is something worth looking into. It is definitely worth investing the effort to remove it in woodlands where nature conservation is the main aim.
Rhododendron is also a vector species for the Phytophora 'Sudden Oak Death/Bleeding Canker'fungus. On the positive side Rhododendron makes excellent firewood and charcoal. It burns at a high temperature.
Sycamore
Sycamore is a technically non-native, however it has been on the British Mainland for many hundreds of years. Some consider it naturalised or as good enough native, it just depends how far you go a back in time. Sycamore does support a certain amount of wildlife and can be an important timber crop. When mature in a parkland setting they are magnificant trees.
However, Sycamore seeds prolifically and these seeds self-set very easily. This means that in some situations it can become an invasive species.
In woodlands when establishing under favourable conditions it can become over dominant.
A characterisic of Sycamore is that it develops large leaves which can out shade other species, it also shade tolerant itself and grows quickly.
It coppices easily and so even cut stumps need to be treated or removed in order to prevent re-growth. Small 1-2 year old seedlings can be hand-pulled, but after this they require cutting and treatment.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
It's All Relative and Politics
I came across this post that I didn't complete at the time. Its a photo of me and my mum some years ago (about 10 years I think). The local newspaper ran the story of our relatives who lived in Cemetery Lodge Cottage. My great great grandmother, Mary Tillie Dods, lived out her last years in this cottage before she passed away in 1882. The tower was built in 1879 so.......she must have been living in the cottage when the tower was being built. How spooky is that? And I never knew this family connection when we bought the water tower.
The cottage has been a godsend to Gerry and I. We bought it very soon after buying the derelict tower although we were pretty strapped for funds at the time. It served as a storage facility during the tower renovations before we patched it up as best we could after it dried out! It was very damp because the damp proof course was below the level of the tarmac put down on the pavement outside the front of the building. Even at the back, a channel had filled up with soil and leaves. Not the best way to take care of a building. Of course we were aware of what we were taking on having had it surveyed and Gerry having experience in the building trade. Once it was dried out the ceilings all collapsed which was some mess. Lathe and plaster. Horrible stuff.
Now it is a sweet little cottage part used as the restaurant but mainly used to keep all our books and knick knacks as well as an office and spare bedroom. We couldn't be without it really.
But what about my family? how on earth did they come to be connected with a cottage in Dalkeith? Well most of my mums side of the family lived in the Borders. Galashiels, Selkirk, Stow and Peebles. Dalkeith was the first main town serving the Borders in those days and I reckon the youngsters travelled up to Dalkeith for work and play. My great great grand parents must have moved to Dalkeith for work purposes. Although only Mary Tillie Dods was recorded on the census for living in the cottage in 1881, her husband John Tille is on the local gravestone with the rest of the family and the library records showed that he died in Plantation in Glasgow. Someone told me this was where there was an industry for making gardening tools and the like. That might link in with the skills of a cemetery keeper.
The family in the Borders were all farmers living in tied cottages to a land owner who was usually a wealthy individual. My Gran was a staunch Tory supporter because the landed gentry were Torys and they looked after the workers. Of course the Conservatives have lost their place in Scotland since then but who knows, they might make a come back. I met a very nice young lad representing the Conservatives earlier this year. Bright and articulate and full of energy. We hear from a couple of friends that our SNP councillor had a call from someone ranting down the phone that Gerry was going to stand as a Conservative Party Councillor in the forthcoming elections next year and that he would get into the council and influence "everyone". Gosh, how amazing, especially since it is news to us.
It's a pity my Aunt Tib who is 93 couldn't stand for election. She always has a political word to say and would make a great Tory councillor. She wouldn't care about local tittle tattle and would probably swipe her handbag at anyone who gave her grief. We are a fiesty lot from the Borders.
Here's the article from the newspaper at the time.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Oh dear Ellen
The tree officer Ellen seems to have been rather lax with her e mails. Sadly this will probably now have to be registered as a formal complaint with the council and I just hate doing that. But this communication can't be left un challenged. I have given Ellen the benefit of the doubt in the past but this one is a step too far.
From an e mail from Ellen to Councillor Statham on April 12th.
There is though, as far as I can ascertain from a distance, increased erosion in the area of the slope with the runoff from the tennis club drainage. This is also the area of the unauthorised felling by the landowners so it is likely that this felling has further destabilised the slope in this area. We are currently following up the planting of replacement trees which the owners are required to carry out in agreement with Development Management.
This area of the woodland, where there is water run off, has been tackled over the last 2 years now to try to regenerate a problem area. A sycamore tree was removed on advice of someone other than Ellen but in accordance with the woodland management plan. The area is vastly improved and a meeting with a land engineer recently has consolidated plans to deal with the water issue. A French drain has been advised. Sounds simple enough. It coud be though that the planting will take anyway. There has been some success so far. If the area under the power lines is anything to go by, our plans will mean that the overall appearance of the bank will be complete and stunning in less than 3 years. There are a number of Cherry trees just to the West of the slope and I think a few more Cherry trees will be just stunning, especially in the Spring. Cherry grows quickly as well.
For Ellen to suggest she is following up planting of replacement trees is rather economical with the truth. Ellen wrote to me to indicate tree planting advised for this area. I thought that was useful since I was planting in this area anyway. I planted in Autumn 2009 but the majority of the plants washed down the slope. Planting in 2010 was hampered by a rather severe and early onset winter. Ellen was supposed to write to me with a new deadline but never did. Now in 2011 I have heeled in all the replacement planting in a patch, whilst working on the clearance of piles of rubbish from the run off area. So far - 1 garden chair (lost when we were away for a year), a metal pole from the tennis club fence, a bakers basket, an umberella, some cemetery ware (don't ask), lots of crockery, rubble etc. and tons of really good soil. I cancelled my Bannatynes membership this year because I am using the physical act of taking bucket loads of soil up the hill to my garden areas as an alternative form of exercise. It is really tough.
The wild flowers are spreading into the run off area for the first time since I have lived here. It is just lovely to see the fox gloves populating this area of the bank. I managed to plant a woodland clematis and a honeysuckle as well. Fingers crossed that they take.
Oh and Ellens survey of this area, done in 2009 but not communicated to me other than a letter, the contents of which I do not agree with. I found the survey report in her file at Fairfield House when I was looking at the file for another reason. It's not accurate and a correction that I asked for has not been placed in the file. That's sloppy at best and duplicitous at worst.
From a response from Donald Rodger when I copied Ellens e mail to him.
From an e mail from Ellen to Councillor Statham on April 12th.
There is though, as far as I can ascertain from a distance, increased erosion in the area of the slope with the runoff from the tennis club drainage. This is also the area of the unauthorised felling by the landowners so it is likely that this felling has further destabilised the slope in this area. We are currently following up the planting of replacement trees which the owners are required to carry out in agreement with Development Management.
This area of the woodland, where there is water run off, has been tackled over the last 2 years now to try to regenerate a problem area. A sycamore tree was removed on advice of someone other than Ellen but in accordance with the woodland management plan. The area is vastly improved and a meeting with a land engineer recently has consolidated plans to deal with the water issue. A French drain has been advised. Sounds simple enough. It coud be though that the planting will take anyway. There has been some success so far. If the area under the power lines is anything to go by, our plans will mean that the overall appearance of the bank will be complete and stunning in less than 3 years. There are a number of Cherry trees just to the West of the slope and I think a few more Cherry trees will be just stunning, especially in the Spring. Cherry grows quickly as well.
For Ellen to suggest she is following up planting of replacement trees is rather economical with the truth. Ellen wrote to me to indicate tree planting advised for this area. I thought that was useful since I was planting in this area anyway. I planted in Autumn 2009 but the majority of the plants washed down the slope. Planting in 2010 was hampered by a rather severe and early onset winter. Ellen was supposed to write to me with a new deadline but never did. Now in 2011 I have heeled in all the replacement planting in a patch, whilst working on the clearance of piles of rubbish from the run off area. So far - 1 garden chair (lost when we were away for a year), a metal pole from the tennis club fence, a bakers basket, an umberella, some cemetery ware (don't ask), lots of crockery, rubble etc. and tons of really good soil. I cancelled my Bannatynes membership this year because I am using the physical act of taking bucket loads of soil up the hill to my garden areas as an alternative form of exercise. It is really tough.
The wild flowers are spreading into the run off area for the first time since I have lived here. It is just lovely to see the fox gloves populating this area of the bank. I managed to plant a woodland clematis and a honeysuckle as well. Fingers crossed that they take.
Oh and Ellens survey of this area, done in 2009 but not communicated to me other than a letter, the contents of which I do not agree with. I found the survey report in her file at Fairfield House when I was looking at the file for another reason. It's not accurate and a correction that I asked for has not been placed in the file. That's sloppy at best and duplicitous at worst.
For the record - from the year 2000 WMP
In fact, the soil on top of the bank has been affected by the construction of the tennis courts and is a very freely draining......................
An ash and a beech, both 20cms dbh. The path becomes very narrow here with erosion taking place on the north side, marked * on the map. This is a dangerous point. The beeches on either side of the path are casting a lot of shade and suppressing the ground vegetation which is mainly grasses.
The erosion of the bank next to the corner of the tennis courts is likely to increase very quickly and could become significant.
Dear Susan
With regard to the issue of bank de-stabilisation, I feel it is erroneous to suggest that by felling a tree (or trees) that this will inevitably result in soil erosion or 'de-stabilisation' of the entire bank. The key factor here is that the stump and roots have remained in-situ, and it is the multitude of root contacts and inter-laced undergorund network which effectively helps to 'bind' the soil on the slopes. If the roots had been grubbed out, then that may have resulted in problems, but that clearly is not the case here.
In addition, the removal of a tree will encourage greater development of ground vegetation through increased light levels, and allow for the regeneration of tree species. The stump is also likely to remain alive and will coppice. The net effect is to create a thicker 'mat' of lush ground vegetation which may in fact be of increased benefit in stabilising the soil on the slopes. This effect is already being seen on the areas you have planted and which are regenerating naturally.
I am therefore of the opinion that the removal of an occassional tree (which is inevitable from time to time as part of good woodland management) will not have any adverse impact on soil stabilisation on the steep slopes, providing the stump and root system remain intact. Indeed, it may have a slightly beneficial effect in the long term by encouraging a better developed field layer.
With regard to the specific area of erosion caused by the surface water run-off from the tennis courts, this is essentially outwith your control and is for the tennis club to remedy. The erosion is being caused through no fault of your own, and indeed you have taken steps to mitigate this, at your own expense, by repeated attempts at re-planting. Until the tennis club resolve the issue of their run-off, then I fear that this area will always be prone to some degree of erosion, despite your best efforts.
I hope this is of some assistance in the meantime.
Regards
Donald
Donald Rodger BSc(Hons)For, FICFor, FArborA, MIBiol, CBiol, CEnv
Registered Consultant of the Arboricultural Association
Registered Consultant of the Arboricultural Association
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