The subject of trees is often an emotive issue.  Threaten their existence and some people will go to extraordinary lengths.  Just look at the response when the government attempted to sell off OUR public forestry for short-term gain.  Our town and district had more to lose than most.  Consider woodland’s beauty, peace and ability to provide food and shelter to a huge range of wildlife and it was no wonder there was such opposition when the forests were about to be placed in the safekeeping of committed money-makers, driven principally by motives of profit.

          Timber is a quite remarkable commodity, used for so many purposes and rarely bettered by man-made materials.  It’s also an excellent and renewable form of fuel. 

          What we think of as the natural environment is invariably ‘man-managed’ and has been so for thousands of years.  There is an uneasy balance between man and nature that often results in conflict when viewpoints diverge.  There is no doubt that planting trees or allowing self-seeded ones to grow unchecked in the wrong place will result in conflict with human interest and there is likely to be only one winner. However, it’s likely to be a generation or two down the line, so S.E.P. (Somebody Else’s Problem).

          When the infamous (and sadly destroyed) ‘Irton Beech’ hit the headlines, I went to have a look, expecting a tree nearing the end of its lifespan.  What I saw was a beautiful, healthy, mature tree, well shaped and in its prime.  Not even overly close to the houses.  Its crime was to potentially threaten the stability of a wall and some drains, so it had to go.  The most disgraceful and outrageous aspect was that over £250,000 of mostly public money had been spent because different parties obviously refused to agree.  The legal profession profited handsomely, but no-one else.

          When we moved into our house 10 years ago, the moderate sized garden resembled a jungle, with tall spindly self-seeded trees and uncontrolled conifers fighting for light.  We felled about fifteen and no doubt some people were horrified, although some neighbours were delighted to see daylight and sunshine once more.  Within six months, the scene of devastation had been re-moulded by nature.  Ongoing sensible management is physically demanding, but it maintains both a pleasant and practical wooded environment.  Abandoning urban trees to grow unchecked is potentially expensive, damaging and dangerous, and invariably S.E.P.  Inevitably, views differ on the balance between managed or wilderness, but within our built environment, it simply must favour the former.

          The somewhat enthusiastic cutting back round Keld Head pond has also caused disagreement.  Some thought it too severe, but by next summer, I predict it’ll barely be noticeable.

          Plans are in place to clear trees and scrub from the margin between the castle grounds and Castle Bank.  P&DCS were instrumental in negotiations.  Town Clerk, Andrew Husband, should be congratulated for plotting a course through the bureaucratic minefield regarding ownership and permissions, involving town, district and county councils, English Heritage and the Duchy.  This overgrown margin is now blocking the view of the castle and the attractive, well-maintained trees within its grounds.  These self-seeded trees are already causing an obstruction and in the not-too-distant future could become unstable in the steep banking close to bedrock.  We are fortunate that funding has been found to clear the bank, which should then receive regular annual maintenance to improve the appearance of the whole area.

Mike Potter.