CRIMES AGAINST NATURE

We were bitterly upset to see many of our Hetley Pearson trees, planted with the help of local junior school children in 2020, vandalised, damaged and destroyed this year.

We believe the perpetrators began doing damage to the trees in February – and have continued on several occasions. We are investigating the matter further with the Council, and potentially the police. Some witnesses have already come forward, and if anyone has information they would like to share in confidence, please contact us.

We are considering our best options with regard to replacement or replanting elsewhere. The Oak trees cost us £100 each, so replanting does need to be well considered.

“Little children helped us plant these trees and hedges – for the future, and bigger children tore them down. It is so demoralising. But we mustn’t give up…”

Tamar
WE DIG NG9 founder
Civic Society Trustee
The branches made quite a volume of woody material.
One of the damaged Oak’s (complete with Oak Galls, which are very common in this location). Technically still alive – but for how long…?

Images: Damage was done to all Silver Birch trees, Oaks and other semi-mature standards; (below) We Dig NG9, who helped organise the planting event in January 2020, has collected the vandalised branches and begun a deadhedge around the parameter Hawthorn hedge to at least add to the habitat.
© Tamar

LOST ARC
TREES

We’re very concerned about the condition of the trees planted outside ARC Cinema Beeston and The Beeston Social.

One tree appears to have died, and other specimens are not in good health. Some of the planting beneath is not fairing too well either.

While we recognise that 2022 saw 40º heat and epic droughts, we expect landscaping as part of development (especially where Public Realm is involved) to have maintenance ‘built in’ particularly in regards to newly planted trees and shrubs – which need regular, significant watering in their first years. It should not be left to worried local residents (and Society committee members!) to water them by hand.

We’re approaching Broxtowe Council and the local businesses nearby to find out what’s happened, and what shall be done regarding replacement of these important centrepiece trees, and the looking after of them.

An ex-tree.

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