I know the pine trees at the station locations on the line cause many a volunteer annoyance / concern. Yet the historic Scots pine trees we own were originally planted by Great Western Railway to mark station locations. As such the trees are all covered by Tree Preservation Orders and there is a regime of annual inspections. As a result of these inspections a certain number of trees need to be felled every year; many are now 100+ years old and some reaching end of their life. In order to do this we have to apply to the relevant Council for permission.
With no trains running & a possession in place it was a busy day on site with the removal of 7 trees.
Yes, it's a shame to see the Corsican Pine trees go; but there is a silver lining to their removal, and that is that there will be less pine needles to clear from the track and platforms. On the track they are a constant danger of fires from loco ash dropping, and on platforms a nuesance as a tripping hazard; all requiring removal by the station staff. So, at least we have the phots of them which do no harm at all.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Paul.
The pines are so iconic for former Great Western Honeybourne Line stations, though. I understand the downsides of the constant needle fall, alas. I don't have a solution; maybe someone will come up with one?
DeleteThank you for the update, Ms. Clayton!
Amen to that, Paul! When my team rake the track each winter, creating heaps of debris through the station, they call them “DaveT’s piles!!!”. Dave Tomlin, head of department CRC.
ReplyDeleteThere seem to be plenty at CRC but very few at Broadway, are more being planted there ? ( See l never used that tiresome word iconic , but they are ! )
ReplyDeleteThere have been a fair few planted there but north of the station & it will be a while before they are a notable size!
DeleteHaving travelled the line yesterday, I am concerned that quite a few of the new saplings that have been planted recently seem to be dying off. I realise that some of this is probably due to the changeable weather but quite a few seem to be being choked by the surrounding weeds. It seems that the GWSR has taken the same attitude as various highway departments in believing that new trees can just be planted and left to their own devices, resulting in replacement saplings having to be planted at extra cost in time and money. I realise that volunteer hours have to be prioritised but it seems that just removing the weeds around the new trees would be time well spent, to give them a 'fighting chance'. I note that much is made of the number of trees that have been planted in the 'Orchard?' site. How many of them are still alive.?
ReplyDeleteA Pettifer
I think you are right.
DeleteIt takes quite a lot of effort to nurse the young sapplings through the dry summers, with frequent watering.