85 trees face chop at park after killer fungus attack

Leafy Kelvingrove Way near to an area where a group of trees are to be removed because council chiefs say they have been infected by a fungus

Graeme Murray

17 Aug 2010

Up to 85 “dangerous and decayed” trees are to be axed in one of Glasgow’s best-loved parks.

Campaigners are furious that the trees in and on the approaches to Kelvingrove Park have been earmarked for the chop after parks bosses identified a fungal infection.

One of the worst-hit areas is picturesque Kelvin Way where a line of 14 mature whitebeams on the bandstand or east side of the avenue are under threat.

An identical line of trees on the opposite Glasgow University side are escaping the cull.

Experts say the fungus causes the trees to rot and become unstable before eventually killing them and that they are a safety risk.

But campaigners are outraged. Tom Johnstone of the Friends of Kelvingrove Park said: “The proposed felling of 85 trees is of great concern to those who enjoy the park and we simply cannot understand how so many trees have come to be simultaneously affected by fungus.”

A total of 65 whitebeams are to be felled, along with 20 other trees. A council spokesman said: “A survey has established that decay fungi are present in 85 trees within the park, meaning it is now necessary to remove them.

“Significant new planting will take place at Kelvin Way, the bandstand and skate park and also to replace a number of individual trees across the park.

Bob Gray of the Glasgow Tree Lovers’ Society said: “The fact is a lot of the whitebeams in Glasgow parks are not in particularly good condition and anyone looking at them can see how ill they are.”

YOUR VIEW

WILLIAM LOUGHREY (Renfrew, 63, mobile engineer)

“If the disease threatens other trees then they have to choice but take them down. It will be a shame for those who enjoy the scenery here.”

ELIZABETH LOUGHREY (Renfrew, 64, retired)

“My husband and I come here a lot. I wouldn’t like to see any of the trees taken down. It’s such a nice place and I would hate to see it spoiled.”

AMY ROBINSON (Partick, 24, student/librarian)

“It’s nice to have so many trees that have been here for such a long time. But I understand that the trees have to come down, because they’re going to die.”

MORAG MACQUEEN (58, Cowie, health visitor)

“I think it’s absolutely appalling that the trees have to come down. My mother and I love to walk through the park on our way to the museum. We come this way so we can enjoy the park and the trees.”