There are often many reasons why trees should be felled. In an ideal world, trees wouldn’t be cut down and if any changes have to be made, only the minimum of work would be carried out. However, with respect to health and safety, there is often a need for considerable work to be done, and this has been the case recently in St Martin where a number of trees have been felled.
This is a story that will take place across the country many times each year, so it is not as the incident in St Catherine’s Woods, found in a valley on the route to St Catherine’s Bay is an isolated story.
This is an area of significant historical importance when it comes to the local area. There are many public footpaths found in and around the woodland area. One such footpath led the way from St Martin’s Church of the sea, allowing people to make a safe passage from the island to plea for a pardon or clemency. This was a route taken by innocent and guilty people and a great number of local and historical tales have taken place in the area.
Pathways must be safe
In the present day, the woodland area is owned by many islands, but the Natural Environment Department is responsible for maintaining a safe passage along the paths. Both the landowners and the Natural Environment Department work together to ensure that the paths are properly managed, public access is maintained and people can make their way around the island safely.
The issue of health and safety has been at the heart of recent work that has left many people wondering if the work had to be as brutal as it appears.
Good tree surgery work protects the public
A local ecologist, John Pinel agreed that the work in clearing the path looks “dramatic”, but he believes it has been necessary work to ensure the public is protected and that the woodland area is managed in an effective and appropriate manner.
Pinel said; “We work on a rotating basis every three to five years to inspect all our footpaths,’ he said. ‘We work with tree surgeons to combine the need to protect the public with tree surgery which also complements the wildlife that is there and provides access to woodlands.”
One of the issues regarding the trees is the fact that many of them are sycamores. Sycamore trees self-seed at a prolific rate and this can lead to domination of the woodland area. Obviously, if this is left unchecked, significant problems can arise. Mr Pinel also said; “Removing the trees will allow light in and other trees and plants will grow to fill the gaps. Within a spring or two no one will notice that any removal work has been done.”
The importance of trees in the local area has been reiterated by Mr Pinel, saying; “In the past woodlands were incredibly important for a whole range of activities. There would have been a lot of coppicing tree management for firewood and construction materials but all that stopped more than 100 years ago. The work we are doing today complements that but most of our management work takes place away from the public paths and the public view.”
It can be difficult to find the balance between aesthetics and safety, and it is an issue that has vexed many tree surgeons and professionals in the sector. However, safety is always paramount, and if you need any guidance on how to care for your woodland areas, we are here to help.
