Trees and Blaze

We have another tree felling request lodged with Midlothian Council

https://planning-applications.midlothian.gov.uk/OnlinePlanning/centralDistribution.do?action=dispatch&caseType=Application&caseNo=12/00057/WTT

Its very straightforward. Identified by Donald Rodger last year when he carried out our woodland survey, 2 trees are rotten at the base and could fall onto a public walkway. They are big sycamores. Felling will be a job for the experts and those that can climb trees and hold a chain saw at the same time.

The tree application system seems to have changed. I worked my way around the on line system and stopped when it asked for a site plan. Never needed a site plan before for tree felling. So instead I printed off the application form and e mailed it onto Midlothian Council. They then asked for a site plan so that must be the system now.

The area where these 2 trees are located is around the back of our ground, above the old railway line walkway. Despite the very high winds last month these 2 trees did not fall. One other tree came down though and we are still cutting up the branches and damaged wood from that. We are left with a small clearing and lots of twiggy branches and limbs from trees, some trapped on the top of another tree. It all looks a bit messy but we will get it tidied up. A new wood pile edging has been started along the top ridge which will be good for wildlife as well as forming a nice barrier.

Taking the barrier all along the ridge towards the back of the tennis courts I have decided to do something about the 20? 30? year pile of waste blaze dumped from the tennis courts. Its quite a heap, nothing grows in it bar the odd bit of holly poking through, and its a dead area. A spade goes in but it would be really hard work to shift it in spade lots. What to do with it though? We could use it for paths but then its very dirty to walk on. We could fill in the "bowled out" area around the tennis club drain which is also a sterile area of ground. If anyone wants some waste blaze and is prepared to collect it then let me know. I'll put it on Freecycle as well.

0131 660 4865