Plans To Fell Trees Axed - For The Moment

Nettleham Parish Council has reversed its plans to fell two willow trees on the bank of the Beck, on Watermill Lane, in Nettleham, following a public outcry at the decision.

Work had been ordered to fell the trees, but strong opposition emerged late last night after residents became aware of the plans.

Cllr. Giles McNeill urged colleagues last night 'to hold off for a week and allow some discussion at Monday night's Property Committee Meeting.'

Meanwhile Cllr. John Hill, who takes the lead on trees within the village on behalf of the Parish Council, said, via e-mail:

"Tonight I have been contacted by residents in the Watermill Lane area and others about the proposed felling of these trees. As a result of those discussions and representations I have cancelled the work planned for this Saturday. 

"The Property Committee can review the original decision on Monday night. I expect some residents to be present and put their points of views. We can then decide the way ahead and how we wish to respond to their anxieties."

Residents will have an opportunity to put forward their views at the Parish Council's Property Committee Meeting on Monday 12 March 2012 at 7:30pm at the Pavilion at Mulsanne Park.

Don't Forget to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Over eight million trees were bought last Christmas in the United Kingdom. Most are thrown away creating over 150,000 tonnes of additional rubbish - which is twenty-one times the weight of the Eiffel Tower. Local residents are bing asked to do their bit to reduce this amount of rubbish by recycling their Christmas Tree.

Green waste wheelie bin collections take place once a month during the Winter period (December - March) and every two weeks throughout the rest of the year.

So local people can put their Christmas tree out in the green bin on their regular garden waste collection day. Check your calendar or visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/mybinday. It would also help if branches are trimmed before putting in the bin.

Alternatively trees can be taken to one the Household Waste Recycling Centres at any of the following locations:

• Summergangs Lane, Gainsborough
• Whisby, near Lincoln
• Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln
• Bolingbroke Road, FairfieldIndustrial Estate, Louth
• Redbourne Mere, Kirton Lindsey (in the North Lincolnshire Council area but West Lindsey residents can use this facility)
• Bigby Road, Melton Ross, Barnetby (as above)

All of the Christmas trees collected will be recycled and turned into nutrient rich compost at one of four sites in the district. The trees, and other green waste, will be tipped by the collection vehicle on to a heap and aerated. The material will then be inspected for any contaminants such as plastic bags and once they have been removed, the material will be put into a pile and shredded. It is turned at least three times until it reaches its final product. This process takes approximately eight weeks before quality compost is produced.

If you have an artificial tree you are throwing away it is important to bear in mind that it will be sent to landfill sites where they are not biodegradable. When you no longer want your artificial tree, you can extend its life by giving it to a local group or Charity shop.

Nettleham Woodland Trust Plan Record Attempt

Nettleham Woodland Trust is making hoping a record-breaking attempt will soon be sprouting in a local wood as the they try to plant their name in the record books.

Local residents will attempt to break a record by taking part in 'Tree O'Clock' – a nationally organised event that will attempt to break the record for the most trees planted in an hour.

The current figure stands at 18,124 trees planted in one location and the Nettleham Woodland Trust is hoping it can help smash the record and help the environment at the same time. Monks Wood, which is part of the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve near Dunholme has been selected as the site for the tree planting, which takes place on Saturday, 5th December 2009 from 11:00am until 12:00noon.

Left: Giles McNeill with local volunteers planting trees at 'PC Wood, Nettleham', February 2008.

The event is being organised through BBC Breathing Places and the number of trees people have pledged to plant around the world currently stands at 209,953 across 66 counties.

Nettleham Woodland Trust is asking any willing volunteers to arrive by 10.15am at Monks Wood and bring their own spade to ensure there is enough equipment to make the bid possible. Giles McNeill said:

"I wish everyone the best of luck with this record breaking effort and hope to be able to participate."

Rachel Shaw, spokesman for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said:

"Hot food will be provided by Nettleham Scouts on the day. There will be a toilet on site and people should remember to wear warm clothing, gloves and boots, as the site is very muddy.

"There will be a bit of a walk from the car parking areas to the tree planting site. This will be about half a mile."

‘Chainsaw massacre’ as urban trees face the chop admits Government

Health and safety and compensation culture threat to leafy roads and suburbs

Local street trees face a growing threat of being cut down due to fears over possible compensation claims and breaches of health and safety rules. The Government has published a long-delayed report on urban trees, following a previous report in the 1990s. The new survey reveals that:

· trees are being cut down at a faster rate than they are being planted, so the number of trees in towns is declining;
· fears of insurance claims from subsistence or health and safety are leading to the chopping down of trees; and
· because of funding pressures, many councils are having to cut back on tree maintenance – in turn, increasing the scope for compensation claims, and forcing town halls into the ‘quick fix’ of chopping down trees.

Giles McNeill, Nettleham Parish Council said:

“West Lindsey District Council’s tree officers do a good job in difficult circumstances. Yet the Government’s own report shows how Whitehall is failing to stop the spread both of the ‘compensation culture’ and the heavy-handed application of health and safety rules.

“Trees are vital to the greening of West Lindsey’s town and village environments and improving quality of life. But alarm-bells are ringing. Our roads and cherished leafy suburbs increasingly face the threat of a chainsaw massacre under Labour.”