Concerns Regarding Sycamore Tree Planting by County Council

GOpt

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I wanted to raise a concern about a recent decision made by our county council. They are the ones insisting on the planting of sycamore trees throughout our estate. It is something that they have requested ever since the planning grant.

While I understand the importance of green spaces and the need for more trees, I have come across some concerning information about sycamore trees that I feel warrants discussion.

Online research indicates that every summer, these trees develop a fine dust on the underside of their leaves, which can act as a respiratory irritant. For some individuals, this can lead to unpleasant symptoms, including violent vomiting after prolonged coughing. Additionally, sycamore trees are known for being invasive and can form dark, insect-infested patches of deep shade.

Given the nature of these trees, it seems that having too many of them in close proximity may lead to several issues, including a higher likelihood of bugs and diseases, as well as messy sap dripping throughout the year. As a resident whose house faces the south-west direction, I am especially concerned about the potential for significant shade cast by these trees, especially if 15 of them are planted in front of my house.

I am curious about the rationale behind the county council's insistence on planting these trees and how this decision was reached. I am also wondering if there are any alternatives to consider that would strike a balance between the environmental benefits of tree planting and the concerns raised by residents like myself.

I would greatly appreciate any insights, experiences, or advice you might have on this matter. How should I go about addressing this issue with the council, and are there any potential solutions to ensure a greener environment without compromising the quality of life for residents?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

muffler

First of all you need to raise your concerns with the local planning dept. Secondly you need to give them an alternative i.e. a different type of tree and ask if that would be acceptable.

FishOnABike

You might find some alternative tree types in this https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/planning/publications/heritageconservation/tree-design-guide-for-towns-and-villages-in-co-clare-2017-28115.pdf

SuperBowserWorld

Sycamore trees are hardly invasive - the saplings would need years of protection from kids, lawnmowers, ... to spread in an invasive manner.

Also, they are not dangerous to human health. Maybe horses. They will improve the quality of your environment and increase the value of your house.

Haven't you heard of the "leafy suburbs" when people refer to affulent neighbourhoods. Also, trees and birds are nicer than burned out cars on green spaces.

I think you are probably only concerned that they will block your light. You could ask the council where are they planting the trees. They may not affect you at all.

iniscealtra

You could request that Native trees are planted. They are better for Biodiversity. Oak feeds more insect speiceas than most other trees and is Native. It doesn’t release as much pollen, selfseed so readily and is slow growing. A good option I think.

iniscealtra

Native cherry has beautiful Flowers and if there is a tidy town a group they get points for Biodiversity.

https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Native-Irish-Trees-Guide.pdf

elperello

You need a proper professional site specific planting plan.

Residents association, local elected representatives should be involved.

Jim_Hodge

Forget online research. You can always find some site that will tell you what you want to hear, even if it's not true. Sycamore are no risk to human health. Sycamore may be introduced but they are classed as Well Established. They are excellent for biodiversity and support a wide range of epiphytes, herbivores and ground flora, comparable to many native species.

magicbastarder

I've heard plenty of scare stories about plants and health over the years but this is the first time I've heard one about sycamore. They're so common that I suspect if the concerns were true it'd be well known.

Mullaghteelin

Lots of mature Sycamores here in 1970s era housing estates north county Dublin.

We climbed them, and played with their seeds as kids.

Their branches have been cut back several times over the years.

These days I appreciate the splash of colour in the Autumn as their leaves can go all the way to dark red before falling.

coolbeans

There's no issue with sycamore trees in Ireland. Sounds like you don't want trees near your house.

Alun

I'd never heard of these issues so googled it and only got US hits, so I suspect it's only a problem with Platanus Occidentalis, a true sycamore that is native to North America. The "sycamore" we get here isn't really a sycamore at all, but a member of the maple family, Acer Pseudoplatanus. There is a European true sycamore, Platanus Orientalis, but it's not found in these parts.

So nothing to worry about.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120891427#Comment_120891427

Not quite that long but certainly since the 16th century. They are our second most common hedgerow tree, after the Ash, so if as the OP think there are health risks they've been well hidden.

coolbeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120891453#Comment_120891453

Ah yeah, edited that but point taken. Tis well established and in no way a threat to human health. I often think of it as a poor man's maple.

Alun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120892043#Comment_120892043

As I pointed out above, they are actually a maple, hence the 'Acer' in the name Acer Pseudoplatanus. The 'Pseudoplatanus' bit refers to the similarity of the leaves to the other members of the 'Platanus" genus.

miamee

Posting from personal experience my parents are in their 3 bed semi-d home since 1978. Single sycamore trees were planted outside each pair of houses on the road. There have been no illnesses or side effects like that. They are now (45 years later) quite large and are higher than the house. They block a certain amount of light from the houses. They house a lot of birds which is lovely but no one will park directly outside the garden under the tree because of the enormous bird poops that will land on your car almost immediately (not sure what birds are up there or what they are eating 😳) There is an issue with the sap from the trees landing on cars and making them sticky, in particular windscreens but if you wash it off soon enough it's easy to get rid of. They still look very nice along the road in my opinion.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120894669#Comment_120894669

Trees will be trees.

Vittu

Global warming coming, you might be glad of the shade..

HazeDoll

The world is literally burning. The seas are heating up faster than the worst-case-scenario predictions. We are entering an extinction phase on Earth.

And this person is scared of trees.

GOpt

It's interesting to learn that only US species produce the 'toxic dust.' However, we have 16 of these trees planted in a small green area in front of a six-house wide space. Since these trees are known to grow very tall, I'm concerned that they might create a barrier between my house and the sun.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120928980#Comment_120928980

No offence but I'm finding it hard to take this seriously. You should be thankful your area will be graced with some decent trees.

raspberrypi67

I dont know of any illness with Sycamore. I work with the wood too, that's all scare mongering. I can kind of understand the worry of them getting huge and to be honest blocking the light , hmm, well if its in the front and a fair distance away i wouldn't care if it was me. I'm glad to see more trees going in.

You need, as someone said, to discuss with the residents and bring it up with the council or whoever....

Cherry trees would be nice, slow growing too, they don't get too big...

magicbastarder

i can predict this story arc.

2023: council suggest planting trees. residents object due to potential issues with light.

2063: council suggests removing trees due to their size. residents object, how dare you talk about taking our trees on us.