Don’t let problems develop . . . .
January 27th, 2012 by ronsmithComment?
Health care, flood prevention, timber traffic, windfarms. The big issues. Sometimes big answers follow, such as this week’s news that the appeal by the promoters of the Broadmeadows windfarm has been refused by a Government Reporter. Matters such as this can cause widespread concern to Borderers. However I am convinced that ‘small’ issues can also cause great personal anxiety.
Earlier this week a tall tree in my own garden was made unstable by the strong wind. If it had continued to fall over, a few neighbours’ cars could have been history and the road blocked. Fortunately I was able to arrange for it to be felled quickly. The incident did however get me thinking. Firstly of the impact (sorry!) on the neighbours if their cars or properties had been hit. I also started thinking of the whole environmental issue relating to trees and undergrowth. It can be very difficult as a Councillor to get agreement to remove trees, prune them, or clear overgrown areas. A plant can start out as ‘a weed’ but if not removed seems to gain official protection. Trees, bushes and grass need managed. For them to show to best advantage they need to be shaped and cared for. On many occasions, I’ve been approached by residents regarding trees near their boundaries which are causing concerns, by overshadowing a garden or threatening to break and cause damage.
Yet, there is a window in which such work would be considered by the Council. September to February is seen as the more acceptable time to cut back greenery, as this is the quieter period for animal and insect life, outwith the breeding and nurturing season. I’ve met this situation when wanting gorse cut back on the Millers Knowes, or encroaching vegetation on the Waverley Walk between Stonefield and Liddesdale Road. That one was interesting. It was said initially that cutting should not be done because this was a habitat area for a rare butterfly but then it emerged that the butterfly had not been seen there for many years, and that cutting back growth should also encourage its main habitat, the kidney vetch plant!
There’s a danger in letting greenery get out of hand. Failing to manage it stores up problems for the future. I think of vegetation growth on the banks of Slitrig and Teviot, of trees needing crowned at Duke Street and Heronhill Bank, of laurels needing lowered in Teviot Crescent to allow light and visibility. We need to maintain a balanced approach. In no way am I against the wildlife which lives there, but I want to see control – which will allow managed growth, and which will not leave us with a problem in the future when there are no funds to remedy the situation.
I had taken my eye off the ball for my own tree. I should have managed it earlier.






