Christmas tree

[MissBee]

Is the giant Christmas tree on Sydenham Road staying up for the duration of 2014 or is there a reason for the delay in this being taken down? I note the lights have disappeared but the tree looks pretty well anchored in there despite the crosswinds it has endured in the last month. Apols if this has already been discussed.. It was put up so late in Dec, is the council making up time by leaving it in weeks past 12th Night?

[sally kelly]

The more trees the better in the high street I feel. Once the lights are taken down it is a beautiful green fir .
Surely it is better to enjoy it twelve months of the year and preserve a beautiful tree rather than keep hacking down a new one each year?

[Maria]

The giant Christmas tree - yes, it is huge and it is beautiful - would you (miss bee et al) rather it was cut into log size bits for fire?

I certainly wouldn't; firstly because it is beautiful and adds a green "splash" to the otherwise drab brown winter local landscapes, and then finally because it would be unacceptable to start next year again looking for Christmas trees sponsors - and they do cost a fortune!! Why should we do that?? why not have a luscious tree permanently on site?

.. and have we, I wonder, developed a culture as well as a mind set where it's ok to moan and complain about just about everything is done around here? When we had those public meetings to discuss Christmas lighting in Sydenham, where were you all, incidentally? I can't even find apologies from the ones who could not/did not attend...

maria

[Rachael]

I agree the tree looks rather magnificent. But was it planted bare rooted or is it a chopped down tree? Because if it's the latter, it's effectively dead already. A permanently planted Christmas tree would be lovely - the next question is whether a fir tree would be appropriate there - they do grow rather tall.

[marymck]

I don't believe it has roots. It was kindly donated by coop funeralcare.

Personally, I'd love to see a permanent fir tree, but in one of the squares proper, rather than on the edge of the road where it will grow too wide.

[MissBee]

Thanks for the info/update. I'm happy the tree is to stay as a permanent fixture. No, I would not rather it was cut up into logs. I agree we need more greenery on High Street, rather than less. As mentioned by Rachael here, I too was concerned it was a bare rooted tree fixed into the ground and had slim chances of life beyond the early winter months though looking at it yesterday, the tree does look to be in fine fettle which is good to see.

Being a relative newbie to Sydenham, I wasn't aware of any public meetings to "discuss" the Christmas lights. I would gladly attend this year's meetings to lend my support. Maria, I look forward to meeting you then, if not before.

[marymck]

Thanks for the info/update. I'm happy the tree is to stay as a permanent fixture. No, I would not rather it was cut up into logs. I agree we need more greenery on High Street, rather than less. As mentioned by Rachael here, I too was concerned it was a bare rooted tree fixed into the ground and had slim chances of life beyond the early winter months though looking at it yesterday, the tree does look to be in fine fettle which is good to see.

I'm really confused now. I thought it didn't have roots? Though of course I would be delighted if it was a living tree, Miss Bee where did you get your info from please? Was it from Coop Funeralcare?

[MissBee]

I have no idea if the tree is rooted or not. I merely commented that it looked sturdy in its place. The question is: if it is not a tree with roots, i.e a living tree, how does it survive the year??

[Rachael]

Miss Bee - there are no plans to leave it there all year as far as I know, we were just speculating on where a permanent tree could be sited and what sort of fir tree would be suitable. It usually takes a while for the council to get around to taking down the tree. Forest Hill still have theirs up too.

[simon]

I saw it tonight and initially thought it had been left up too long. But I then realised how good it looked where it was and thought it would be great if it was left there to grow over the coming years. Sadly it appears the council haven't got around to taking it away. Wouldn't it be great if we had nice big tree, bang in the middle of Sydenham, in that square for years to come?

[Tim Lund]

I saw it tonight and initially thought it had been left up too long. But I then realised how good it looked where it was and thought it would be great if it was left there to grow over the coming years. Sadly it appears the council haven't got around to taking it away. Wouldn't it be great if we had nice big tree, bang in the middle of Sydenham, in that square for years to come?

I was thinking much the same, but then started wondering when the branches would start extending into the road, at which point, after trimming them, the tree would not look so good.

[MissBee]

So the tree has gone . What a shame! Does anyone know of any plans to replace it with anything or does the council get in another rootless tree next Dec that gets tossed on the scrap heap a month later ?

[Tim Lund]

So the tree has gone . What a shame! Does anyone know of any plans to replace it with anything or does the council get in another rootless tree next Dec that gets tossed on the scrap heap a month later ?

Accroding to Angie, she'd put it up and eventually got round to taking it down. So maybe, for this last Christmas only, the planting space was being used to provide a temporary feature and some advertising for a local business. If so, i wonder if the space is going to be used permanently for such something, of a succession of planting - hopefully not just at Christmas. It feels a bit hap hazard, although I think it was nice to have it there, and of course I may well have got this completely wrong - I'm sure Chris Best for one will know far better