Council defends decision to fell trees

FINGAL County Council has defended its decision to
chop down trees in a leafy housing estate in Swords, leaving residents with
nothing to look at but two-foot high stumps.

More than 10 trees were recently cut down in River
Valley Court as part of the council’s tree strategy that has seen the felling
of 200 trees in the Balbriggan and Swords areas in the past year.

Local resident Sharon Callanan said the decision to
fell the trees, which had been there for over three decades, was

“drastic and
unnecesssary

?.

“Surely the trees could have been pruned or cut back
if they were getting too big,

? Ms Callanan told Northside People.

“I’m sure the council will say that the trees were
lifting the footpaths and I understand if they are becoming a danger, but I do
think that an effort could be made to keep them. Surely they did more good than
harm.

?

Ms Callanan believes the council should prioritise
fixing damaged and dangerous footpaths in the Swords area rather than cutting
trees down to prevent footpaths from lifting.

“I know from walking my dog that there are many
footpaths in need of urgent repair in Swords,

? she stated.

“But it seems that instead efforts and resources are
being put into cutting down trees before they even become a problem by lifting
footpaths.

?

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said poor
landscape planning on the part of some developers in the region has cost it a
significant amount of money through personal injury claims.

“Unfortunately the majority of street trees in Fingal
were not planted by the council but by the developers of new housing estates
over the past 30 to 40 years,

? she told Northside People.

“Our extensive tree survey has identified that up to
10 per cent of our tree stock will need to be replaced over time.

“In many cases unsuitable species like Norway maple
were planted as they grew quickly and were reliable.

“Many of these trees have now outgrown their root
space and have less than 10 per cent of the space that should be available to
trees of that kind.

“These trees can cause a trip hazard and a public nuisance
or could be at risk of falling.

The spokesperson said lifting footpaths causes serious
problems for people with limited mobility and the elderly.

“Personal injury claims as a result of trips caused by
trees lifting footpaths have cost the council a lot of money,

? she stated.

“Once a tree has outgrown its available space there is
little that can be done to accommodate the tree any longer and the tree has to
be removed.

?

The council came up with a Tree Strategy based on
international best practice and it was adopted by councillors following public
consultation in 2010.

It has a rolling replacement programme for poorly
located street trees over a 20-year period.

“Unfortunately the effect of the initial tree removal
in some cases is more severe but work is prioritised based on complaints
received and the most serious problem areas,

? the spokesperson added.

“Replacement street trees are planted for each tree
that is removed and Fingal County Council’s Tree Strategy has a clear set of
guidelines on suitable species that can be planted based on the available space
for the tree to grow.

“Individual trees are planted on open spaces to
provide additional canopy cover.

?