Request ID: FOI-2794-2122 Date published: 17 March 2022
You asked
RE: Tree removal Addison Road, W14?
1. Was it the subject of a tree preservation order?
2. What authority/consent was needed to remove it?
3. If any, how was it obtained?
We answered
TfL Ref: 2794-2122
Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9 March 2022 as below. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. The tree in question was felled as a result of its annual tree survey findings. Our surveyor recommended a fell due to a poor, structural condition, Ganoderma and significant decay in the base.
Was it the subject of a tree preservation order?
This tree was not the subject of a tree preservation order.
What authority/consent was needed to remove it?
TfL was the asset owner of this tree and felled the tree on health and safety grounds. Fells are approved by highly trained Arboriculture and Landscape Specialists with significant experience in this field, reviewing any fell recommendations provided by our surveyors (who are also qualified and experienced in Arboriculture). This ensures that trees are only removed as a last resort and that where possible a replacement tree is planted.
If any, how was it obtained?
Please see our reply to question 1.
TfL have a target to increase trees on our streets by 1 percent each year. We have around circa 23,400 trees. This usually means we plant around 1000 trees a year to replace loss and increase overall numbers.
We try and inform the local residents whenever we can about a tree removal, however this may not have happened if the removal was deemed a high safety priority and needed to be removed quickly. Our trees are inspected every year by professional arboriculturists; in this instance the presence of a young fungal fruiting body prompted further investigations by the surveyor. From this it became apparent that the tree had severe decay and needed to be removed for safety reasons. Due to the nature of tree-associated fungi they can be present in the tree for many years without being obvious.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
