HELESNBURGH TREE CONSERVATION TRUST
PRESS RELEASE – 19/3/03
Tree Plantings
Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust is pleased to report that thanks to the cooperation of Gordon Sutherland and Tom Murphy of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Department of Development and Environment Services, the problems caused by the statutory regulations affecting the planting of trees in Helensburgh’s grass verges have now been overcome. The trust has therefore been able to proceed with the purchase and planting of 53 more trees to replace those which have died through old age, disease and neglect. The trust’s planting strategy has been to concentrate initially on main thoroughfares in the town and to that end the latest plantings are as follows :-
- 25 Silver Birch trees (Betula Pendula) on the north side of West Montrose St. (unfortunately a major gas main runs under the verge on the south side of the road and thus prevents plantings at the moment.)
- 16 Lime Trees(Tilia Green Spire) on the west side of Sinclair St. between Queen St. and West Montrose St. Again a gas main north of Queen St. prevents plantings at that location.
- 7 more Mountain Ash (Rowan Trees – Sorbus Asplenifolia) on the north side of East King St. outside the playing fields.
A site has still to be agreed for the remaining four Lime Trees. In addition, the trust has worked in partnership with John Logie Baird School in the purchase and planting of two Silver Birch Trees in the grounds of the school to mark the town’s Bicentenary.
Tree Donors
The trust is extremely grateful to the members of the public and local organisations which over the past 18 months or so have donated over £3,000 for the purchase of trees , so that total tree plantings by the trust in the grass verges and public places now amount to 85. The names of the these donors are to be found in a Dedications Book now placed in the Library, along with dedications from a large number of them e.g. in memory of a loved one, birth of a grandchild, the millennium and the town’s bicentenary.
Survey and Management Plan
The Directors of the trust are currently engaged in seeking funds for the commissioning of a professional survey of the town’s street trees, to be followed by a related management plan. It is envisaged that the survey will provide information re the position, species and variety, name , age, health, and recommendations re action to deal with problems, of every street tree in the town. The management plan will guide strategy and best practice for the future in the conservation and enhancement of the treescape.
We anticipate that the combined cost will be in the region of £10,000 and we will use a grant of £2,000 from Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee as a contribution towards that sum.
Membership
The trust currently has 47 members and the Directors are grateful for the monetary and other support they provide. Trust membership costs £10 per year, and the income from membership fees pays for all of the administrative outlays of the trust, thus ensuring that all income from donations is spent on trees.
New members will be very welcome and those interested in membership should contact Bill Yule, Secretary, 11 Campbell St. , Helensburgh G84 8BG, Tel. 672064.
Similarly, donations should be sent to the same address, from where forms for dedications can also be obtained.
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