Trees in Winchester - TrustNews February 1990
Traffic and development topics in Winchester with car parking and related matters are being extensively talked about, but the effects of these changes on the trees in the City are less apparent to many. Winchester is very fortunate in having had enlightened plantsmen in the past, and Hilliers Nurseries, with the widest range of trees and plants anywhere, was established in the City over 125 years ago. These factors have given us the benefit of fine trees, many of which are lesser known species and varieties.
Now losses are not only from old age, disease, storms or other natural causes but from developments where the value of land makes tree space a low priority, and change of use of houses to offices and turning the gardens into car parking, has taken available ground that could have been planted. The speed with which these changes are happening is alarming.
Many older houses in the central part of the City are now in office use and as a pedestrian, one is not aware of what is going on behind garden walls. For instance, a look from higher windows in houses on the east side of Southgate Street shows the vast majority of what were gardens are now car parking with tarmac or paving with very few trees left. This is not only denuding the immediate area of green but creates a void of foliage when seen from a distance, which was one of Winchester's characteristics.
In some instances where trees are retained, greater consideration should be made for their well-being, and hard surfaces kept away from the base, as this alters the water supply and can cause deterioration with consequent loss of the tree. All too often, new planting has to be accommodated in spaces which are not large enough for anything but a small tree, whereas a larger tree could have been planted if proper allowance had been made at the planning stage. If Winchester's policy is to continue to allow so much parking, provision must be made for larger trees as well by forfeiting a few car parking spaces, and having suitable curbs and protection around the trees.
If you walk north off the High Street into Staple Gardens (near the Prudential estate agents) you will find another part of the City where parking has taken over and very little new planting has been carried out. Much of the parking seems to be on temporary sites, giving a somewhat derelict appearance to this central part of the City, and one can only hope this will not go on for much longer. But even where new buildings and car parking have been completed, very little tree planting has been included, and few climbers on walls for greenery.
There are several places that could have trees planted and the following study of this small area of Winchester indicates the extent of the problem, with some suggested remedies. Staple Gardens is on high ground and taller trees would be visible from across the town, as well as being an asset in the particular vicinity.
- Charlcote Mews. GA Property Services. Car parking for 15 cars at rear, has 1 Silver Birch. A larger tree could be accommodated (5 further parking spaces in the front).
1a) Car parking for 10 cars with no greenery. - Bilbury Court. Plant a tree (eg: Gingko biloba) in the paving at the front of the building.
- Large car parking in BCC ground with one mature Sycamore which needs the base protected from cars. Investigate the future use of this area and more trees could be planted.
- St Paul's Place. At least one large tree to be included on the East side in grass (eg: Tilia cordata (Lime) or Juglans regia (Walnut)). Tree planting has been included for this area in the Walcote Chambers plans but Sorbus Vilmorinii (Mountain Ash) and Crataegus prunifolia (Thorn), are both small trees.
- Staple Chambers, Dreweatt Neate. Plant two Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) in the grass.
- Car parking for Age Concern, Elizabethian Restaurant etc. Needs radical look at this ‘derelict’ area and several trees planted.
- SCATS Head Office. Plant three trees in grass (eg: Fagus sylvatica (Beech)). Consideration also to tree planting in car park at rear of building (eg: Alnus cordata (Alder), Fraxinus 'Raywood' (Willow leaf Ash).
- NFU office. Two smaller size trees planted in grass (eg: Gleditsia 'Sunburst' and Crataegus prunifolia).
- 61, Tower Street. Plant one smaller size tree in grass (eg: Pyrus salicifolia pendula.
- 59, Tower Street. Plant one smaller size tree in grass (eg: Acer Daviddi)
- Plant three trees in car parking area at rear of buildings (eg: Sorbus aria (Whitebeam), Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) and Prunus avium fl.pl. (White Cherry).
These recommendations would create a pleasant street scene and yet provide individuality for the properties.
As a start to implement this scheme, two trees were planted outside Dreweatt Neate's offices during National Tree Week in November 1989. This was a joint effort - one tree was donated by Dreweatt Neate, one by the Preservation Trust, and the planting was carried out by the City.
SCATS are looking into the matter and we are hopeful that trees will be planted before long in the large grass area in front of their office and perhaps in the car park at the rear too. NFU have agreed to take up the suggestion once work has been undertaken on the building and if the City lifts the option imposed on one of the grass areas for it to be off-street parking. The other owners need to be approached.
Unfortunately the Evergreen Oak, at present so visible on the Tower Street construction site, will be in a courtyard and not be seen from the High Street once work has been completed. The car park in Jewry Street, surrounding three sides of the Library, which is of good architectural merit, is a desert of tarmac and an insult to the setting of this building. However, mention must be made of a charming oases of green in this area; a small, sunken garden between the pavement and the building of the Christian Science Reading Room, where suitable, interesting planting is well tended. The small front gardens (too small for a car to park) along the North end of Tower Street are also pleasing. It was a relief to find these on a walk that showed how parking of cars is fast dominating available ground space in central Winchester.
If members suspect a tree is in danger of being cut down, damaged or pruned without permission, they should contact Mrs Fifeld, the City Landscape Architect. Tel: (0962) 840222, Ext: 2419.