Public Works on Thornbury High Street

I was led to believe that the tree interfered with cables as well, though I'll admit that the council report (tinyurl.com/ydhc6jh) does not mention it, only the problem with the raised pavement. At any rate, I have added a picture of the new basin which was taken in the snow yesterday, but if a tree (no matter how small) has been added since then I'll have to take a picture of it soon!

Passed the site today and there is a tree in place. Looks a bit lost and spindly but expect it will grow. The specie sounds very decorative though I'm a bit biased against using a non-native type. However, I guess lots of trees that we think are native were actualy introduced at some time.

� There were two silver birch trees there, not just one tree, and the bench was situated between the two trees.

� As far as I know, damage to underground cables was never mentioned as justification for removing the silver birches [1].

� Trees in a conservation area are protected, and if a tree has to be removed, I believe that it must be replaced. I don't know how the one for two deal in Thornbury was arranged.

â? According to  a "council spokesman", as reported in the Thornbury Gazette [1] the replacement tree was to be a Snowy Mespilus. Jerry Dicker, in his notorious U-turn, claimed the proposed replacement tree was an Amelanchier arborea ’Robin Hill’ [2]. Ignoring some differences in the common and botanical names, the tree they both refer to appears to be a small North American tree, noted for the beauty of its spring time flowers, its summer berries and its leaves which change colour from spring to summer, and then again in autumn [3]. It is not coniferous, nor is it evergreen.


1. TG 25/09/09 & BEP 14/10/09
tinyurl.com/y9ps42x
tinyurl.com/y87zqy8

2. tinyurl.com/ya57kce

3. tinyurl.com/y8sq24w
tinyurl.com/yajcfeu

When I was taking the pictures I was talking to a nice chap (perhaps not the most reliable of sources) who told me that the basin will be holding a new tree - not just a flowerbed. However, what sort of tree it will be or when it will be put in place, I cannot say at this point in time. I'll keep my ear to the ground though!

Well done! You have actually spotted someone working on it. Every time I've been down town it has been deserted (maybe I always hit lunchtime).
When I first saw it I thought (a) the town has a new wishing well (b) if the tree is in proportion to the base Wildings will have more worries than a few leaves as it could hold the Robin Hood Oak. And if they plant a cherry or whatever it will look puny and lost. So does anyone know the grand plan? Is it actually to be a tre or just a flowerbed?  We need to know!