The cost incurred by the council to plant the 70 trees in Riverside Park commemorating the Queen’s platinum jubilee, some of which were thought to appear unhealthy or possibly to have died, has been revealed.
Article continues after this message...
The trees were planted in early 2022 as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, but as reported in July, there has been resident concern over the health of many of the trees.
Some blamed what they claimed was the lack of watering over the very dry period, although watering vehicles have been spotted in the park.
A vehicle apparently watering the trees earlier in the year. Photo: Robin Bluemel
Southampton City Council (SCC) responded last month saying that trees can in many cases recover from dry spells, and that they were keeping a “close eye” on them, but it didn’t answer our questions at the time about the cost and source of funding for the original planting.
Riverside Park trees photographed 28/8/23
Now a freedom of information request to SCC has revealed that the cost for the Riverside Park trees was fractionally under £10k, with planting costs coming in at £5,250.
This was funded internally from a parks improvement budget, rather than from a grant from an external source.
Riverside Park trees photographed 10/7/23
While the council said it “does not have a specific budget for the maintenance of the riverside park trees”, it did confirm “that the associated maintenance costs (watering and weeding) are £189x70=£13,230 for the year for the first two years”.
It remains uncertain whether any of the 70 fastigiate oaks that form the line will be replaced in the event of their loss.
SCC commented previously: “Young trees are susceptible to dry spells and often this shows itself as dead or dying leaves, however, trees can recover from this in many cases and we continue to water them and keep a close eye on the trees in the park so that we can take the appropriate action to conserve and maintain them. We will be better placed to understand any losses at the end of the growing season.”
L Weedy contributed to this report