Independent Railway Banking Tree Report

In response to Network Rail’s plans to remove all mature trees in the green corridor from the Old Strathbungo Station to Crossmyloof to Pollokshields West, including trees under preservation orders as part of the Strathbungo Conservation Area, the Strathbungo Society commisioned an independent report from a professional arboroculturalist, Southcraigs Forestry Services of Kilmarnock.
The Strathbungo Society demands that Network Rail commits to a sensible tree mamangement plan that protects the environment while meeting its safety requirements. This independent report suggests a way forward that will achieve both objectives.
The report in full is as follows:
For the attention of Kevin Kane, the Strathbungo Society:
Railway Banking Tree Report
At your request we visited the area where Network Rail intend removing trees which will affect your members and the area.
Our Survey is limited by access; all our observations and assessments were therefore made out-with the Network Rail ownership.
We can of course carry out more accurate assessments of tree condition but would need access. Depending on the most up to date rules this may require a ‘Blue Fence’or Warden, either would have to be supplied by Network Rail.
Before reading our report, it is best to establish the justifiable reasons Network Rail may have for the proposed work.
Network Rail has to run an efficient and safe mode of transport. Trees impact on this in several ways. For non-electrified lines the impact includes, leaves on the line. In large quantities this not only makes traction difficult, it can in extremis, ‘Hide’ a train by insulating it from the sensors. Continuous dense leaf fall can reduce efficient drainage causing engineering problems.
Tree canopies too close to the line obstruct vital signing and signals. They also reduce a Drivers reaction time to work squads and trespassing children and adults.
The same Health and Safety Legislation that permits and encourages removal of trees close to the running line also requires Network Rail to restrict and control both air and noise pollution. As responsible landowners they will also be aware of the importance of trees and shrubs in the urban landscape, both for visual purposes and to improve air quality.

REPORT
Darnley Road
On the Darnley Road side of the track, the distance between the running line and boundary wall varies from 12-15m wide.
Species on this bank are Ash, Sycamore, Aspen, Birch and Willow. The trees average 10-13m. in height, one or two specimens exceed this.
There is no apparent reason not to keep a 4m wide strip against the boundary wall. Selective removal of some trees within this area, particularly the Sycamore will minimise even the remaining small impact of leaf fall. This process could be used to improve the aesthetic impact of this strip. Minimal reduction of ground cover will encourage wildlife and discourage trespass.
Moray Place
The distance between the boundary fence and running line averages 9m. It is reasonable to require a 6m wide clear strip to the running line, this still leaves 3m. adjacent to the fence. As a result of previous clearance operations the majority of significant trees are in this 3m boundary strip, and many have been faced up to reduce their impact on the 6m clear strip.
The significant trees we found are as follows, by house numbers, we draw your attention again, to the limitations of our reporting.
Moray Place: Nos 1-10. Trees outwith Railway Property
The majority of larger trees in this area are outside the boundary wall and overhanging branches should not encroach on the 6m clear strip. Should they do so, work to reduce them should conform to BS 3998.
Moray Place: Trees within Railway Property
In addition there are a number of significant trees that are within, but close to, the boundary wall, they are as follows:
No 8: Ash tree-with tree surgery to the Railway face it could easily be retained without disturbing the balance of the tree.
No 10: 2No Ash treescan be dealt with as for tree at No 8.
Footbridge: Large Beech tree-this tree can be left in place if the crown is sympathetically re-shaped.
No 11: maintain a screen a strip 1-2m wide should be left.
Nos 15 and 17: Limes could be pollarded to 5-6m in height. (Please note this requires long-term maintenance every 5-10 years.)
No 17: Sycamore could be faced up without adversely affecting its stability.
The Queens Square road end:Horse Chestnut-the crown would require reducing by 30 per cent. The Sycamore adjacent to it would also have to be faced-up.
The Poplar: adjacent to the Road Sign is too large and vigorous. It should be removed by Railway staff.
No 19: Sycamore would require the crown to be reduced by 30 per cent.
No 20: Poplar will also have to be removed.
No 21: Small Sycamore-shorten branches on railway side.
No 22: Lime-this tree will not respond to pollarding and will have to be removed.
No 23: Ash and Chestnut-face-up and rebalance crown on Chestnut.
No 23: Elm-leaning-remove.
No 24: Sycamore-face-up and rebalance crown.
No 26: Birch-no action.
Opposite Marywood Square: Sycamore-face-up.
No 27: Sycamore leaning over railway-remove.
No 27: Cherry and Rowan-no action required.
No 28: Elm-dead-remove.
No 29: Sycamore-face-up.
No 30: Sycamore-crown reduction by 25 per cent.
No 31: Sycamore-face-up.
No 32: Lime-remove limb facing railway and re-pollard remainder.
No 33: Sycamore-face-up.
Opposite Vennard Gardens: Sycamore-face-up. Cut Ivy and face-up.
No 34: Sycamore-cut Ivy and face-up.
No 34: Poplar-too large and vigorous for site-remove.
Moray Place No 37: The Bridge-Trees outwith Railway Property
The Sycamore outside No 47 should be removed whilst retaining the Hawthorn trees growing either side. The Poplar opposite Carswell Gardens is a very vigorous specimen and should also be removed.
Field Work:T Calderwood
Report: R E Price
Date: 30th August 2004.
SouthCraigs Forestry Services
34, Wallacetown Avenue, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA3 6BH
Tel/Fax: 01563 550042 Mobile: 07860 391508