Collaborating on trees: community involvement in planning Highbury Fields

 

In 2008, Highbury Fields Association and Highbury Community Association produced a fully illustrated, 30-page booklet entitled Highbury Fields Trees. The community groups have been pro-active in showing the local community’s continuing interest in participating in decision-making and caring for the park. This booklet is a response to Islington Council's A Vision for Highbury Fields, published by the Council after long consultation in September 2007.

 

What action is needed for Highbury Fields trees

In some areas, gaps in lines of London plane trees need to be filled. In others, past over-dense planting will encroach on the much-loved openness of the park as much younger trees of various species grow towards maturity and some tree removal may be needed. There are also some more immediate problems: dogs stripping bark from trees allows rot to set in and damage has been caused on occasion by grass cutting strimmers which wound the bark at the base of the trees, again allowing rot to set in. Both risk killing healthy trees or stunting their development. As the climate warms and less water falls regularly throughout the year the trees will show signs of stress. It is particularly important that their root systems are protected and enhanced: ways of improving the soil will be investigated; clear guidance will be produced to prevent events on the fields compressing the roots with vehicles and side shows.

 

Highbury Community Association proposals

HCA responded to the encouragement of local involvement given by A Vision for Highbury Fields by producing a discussion paper in anticipation of a local tree strategy for the park being consulted upon by the council. It is expected that a planting strategy, an events guide and a management plan will be in operation by 2013. They will be added to this site when available.

 

London plane trees

The London plane, which forms such a significant part of Highbury Fields, is probably the tree we most associate with London, and a short guide to the species by Robin Hull is available below.

 

For download

 

​A Tree Strategy for Highbury Fields, HCA discussion paper, April 2009, (138 KB)

 

​Highbury Fields Trees, September 2008, (4.4 MB)

 

​Strategies: Trees, Extract from A Vision for Highbury Fields, September 2007, (82 KB)

 

​A Vision for Highbury Fields, September 2007, (2.34 MB)

 

​A Short Guide to the London Plane, by Robin Hull, 2009, (2.4 MB)

 

See also  HCA response to Islington tree policy