Forum Topic

Nasty Neighbour

A very nasty neighbour just chopped down one of the lovely trees on Darwin Road ( near the shop). Happened on Saturday as council offices were closed so no-one could stop him. How dare you, the tree wasn't YOURS!!

David Parsons ● 2288d24 Comments

There was a tree near us quite a few years ago which someone apparently backed into before the carwash and drive in access to the carwash appeared at the spot.

Philippa Bond ● 2268d

That still doesn't warrent illegally chopping down that Silver Birch Tree!

Jennifer Selig ● 2270d

I suppose the tree was in the way of street access to the building at the bottom of the garden, which could become a hairdressers or something...?

Sarah Felstead ● 2270d

Sunday mornings.  Great easy to watch show.  Last week they were looking at replacing plastic pots with other materials.

Sarah Felstead ● 2270d

Sarah. Was that the prog I watched about a walled garden that was all speeded up showing all the work being done through the seasons?  They were using them on that!

Philippa Bond ● 2272d

Philippa, I have been watching ‘The Beechgrove Garden’  a Scottish garden prog on BBC 2 and they were suggesting using the middle of loo rolls to grow such seeds in ... Sarah x

Sarah Felstead ● 2272d

I see that Hounslow is looking for some green ideas.As I put on a thread a little while ago I think we should all attempt to look after and look out for our trees.And we need to get our youngsters growing things so runner beans and nasturtiums up fences would be fun.

Philippa Bond ● 2279d

http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=eadarwintree001.htm

Philippa Bond ● 2280d

I looked on Google at Darwin Street and the only shop I could see was the corner shop in Ealing Rd on the corner with Darwin Rd, the Boston Food & Drink - the nearest tree to that in Darwin St was a Silver Birch, is that the tree?  It doesn't seem to be interfering with any ones property at all.

Jennifer Selig ● 2283d

I understand that enquiries were made yesterday afternoon so it will be interesting to see if CCTV can show who carried out this outrageous act.  Maybe other residents or the taxi companies have installed CCTV to secure their executive cars, as that would be very helpful too. It's good that there is now some interest in finding the perpetrator and yes, if that gets some annoyed then that's good too as residents shouldn't ever have to feel despondent as we should never allow indifference to blight our environment.The trees are there for everyone to enjoy and apart from combating air pollution, even at a subconscious level they bring numerous benefits to our communities. They improve our psychological health and increase our emotional wellbeing! What's not to love?

David Parsons ● 2284d

Several car companies are registered to that address so that may explain the nightmare parking around Darwin & Whitestile Roads!

David Parsons ● 2285d

I have sent e-mails to the local newspaper and 3 councillors and one has replied so far. Fay Block replied Many thanks for your email, it is shocking to hear.I have contacted officers to investigate …Good to know!

David Parsons ● 2286d

Who is the Councillor for this area ?

Emma Renton ● 2286d

I believe the fine could be up to £10,000!  You cant just go round cutting down street trees, and there is a Tree Department at Ealing who will deal with this I hope.  This is Criminal Damage.  I have taken a photo of the tree stump and the traffic cone.  I however live in Hounslow, but am prepared to see what action can be taken.

Emma Renton ● 2286d

Good for you - it is my view that until and unless ordinary folk take these things up and create as much fuss and publicity then yes, these vandals will do just as they please. Councils should prosecute where they have evidence and publicise the case, making an example of offenders can be a deterrent. I do agree that if these idiots are allowed to do just as they like then they certainly will, that's why we must all stand up and be counted.

Vanessa Smith ● 2286d

I have sent e-mails to councillors although I don't actually live in the road but I suspect I am more annoyed about it than some of the residents.  Some were angry but most were of the opinion that it was totally pointless telling the police or council as very little or nothing would be done.  Even if they get a fine, it would be meaningless as the trees are still gone and frankly they have just paid a small fine to get what they actually wanted anyway. What ever happen to the 'Broken Window' philosophy?

David Parsons ● 2286d

"Local residents that I spoke to feel that it's totally pointless complaining to the police or the council as nothing will actually be done about it and they'll just get away with it as usual!"Sounds like a pretty feeble excuse for everyone to moan and groan but not do something practical, of course they'll get away with it if someone doesn't report it properly, report it to Ealing and the police and sit on their tails - include local councillors too.

Vanessa Smith ● 2286d

Yes Emma it was. When the shop keeper was asked on Saturday 'what happened?, apparently he just shrugged said he hadn't heard anything even though it would have been impossible not to hear the chainsaw sawing down the tree!  The tree was then placed leaning against the wall to the side of his shop! So very dangerous and totally irresponsible!!  On Sunday morning it was then chopped into manageable sizes and left on the side of the road. When asked again on Sunday apparently he said it must have been the wind!!? On Monday morning @ approx 7:00 someone arrived to 'chip up the wood' into one of those contraptions ( sorry don't know name) that tree surgeons use and by 08:00 all that was left was a traffic cone to cover the stump. Now if the wind did it wouldn't there be damage to the paving slabs as the tree would have been uprooted plus the obviously exposed roots? Wouldn't there have been substantial damaged by the sheer impact of quite a large tree falling on top of his wall?  The wall looks just fine, the slabs were all intact and there was a clean cut across the trunk!  I suspect that he deliberately just cut the trunk first because if he'd started with the upper branches it would have given residents the opportunity to question it. Now who actually paid for the chipping up and taking away? Surely not the guy who claimed the 'wind' did it or Ealing council as their offices are still closed at that time! Local residents that I spoke to feel that it's totally pointless complaining to the police or the council as nothing will actually be done about it and they'll just get away with it as usual! Be wary, the tree outside your home in Darwin Road could be next if they increase their transport and again nothing will be done!

David Parsons ● 2286d

I saw the tree stump yesterday - with a traffic cone on top.  It looks like it was a fairly mature tree.  Unbelievable

Emma Renton ● 2286d

Apparently they don't pay for all their parking permits either. Been told they often take their top of the range Mercs etc., and park them on the road ready to go to a booking.  However when the traffic warden from L.B.Ealing goes to Darwin Road there is a flurry of activity from the shop and they move cars into Whitestile Road which is in the L.B.Hounslow.

David Parsons ● 2286d

Thanks - that puts the ball in Ealing's court then.

Vanessa Smith ● 2287d

Darwin Road is entirely in LB Ealing

Guy Lambert ● 2288d

Similarly if this tree falls into L.B. Ealing part of Darwin Rd., appropriate people there need to be informed.

Vanessa Smith ● 2288d

If it was on the highway then you should report this to the police, as this is criminal damage also inform Hounslow Highways. I would also get a local councillor on the case too.

Vanessa Smith ● 2288d