Following a consultation looking at the possible removal of three Laburnum trees on Armada Way, two will now be retained and only one that directly hangs over the toddlers play area will be removed.
Earlier this year we launched a consultation about the trees as their toxic nature near a new playground led officers to recommend removing all three trees to stop children eating the seeds, which look like peas, from the pods.
Following feedback from members of the public and a further risk assessment of the approach, cabinet members have now decided that two Laburnums which lean over the Mayflower Street pavement rather than the play area can stay, with the Council’s street cleaning team instructed to remove any pods, leaves of bark that stray into the street. They will also trim the remaining two trees to further reduce the risk of leaves and pods from falling near the play area. They will also monitor the site.
Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Organisational Efficiency, said: “This was a very constructive exercise and we would like to thank the 107 people who commented. We think we have reached a sensible and precautionary approach to the trees and people’s safety.
“Removing the tree that directly overhangs the play area reduces the risk. The right thing to do is to retain the two trees which present a much lower risk of harm. We have also instructed our team to keep an eye on the situation.”
The report says: “The commendation is to remove the Laburnum facing directly into the play area as this presents the most significant and realistic risk. The remaining two Laburnum trees pose a lower risk due to their physical separation from the play area, overhanging footway areas on Mayflower Street where the risk of being picked up by children is reduced.”
The report adds that the dense surrounding of underplanting of ferns and wood rush on the raised bed has further reduced the likelihood of toddlers straying into this section to play. The play area is also separated by a hooped fence further preventing toddlers from going on to the bed.
The consultation set out options and the pros and cons of each. They included:
• Retain and monitor
• Prune
• Remove and replant (same site)
• Translocate
• Remove and provide offset planting nearby. Provide enhanced landscaping at the location of the trees.
In total there were 107 responses in the consultation and 99 of those were from inside Plymouth administrative boundaries. Of these 30 (28 per cent) supported removing the trees but 77 ( 72 per cent) were in favour of keeping them.
To read the comments and the responses visit here https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/armada-way-20260001
