Thursday 06 March 2014
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
I am sorry to send you a separate query late in the day, but, I am working on a story about fallen trees in Saumarez Park. I understand that this matter is being investigated in respect of rotting roots down there on some of the turkey oaks and I was hoping to get a formal comment about how widespread the problem is, what could be causing it and how it could be dealt with.
Environment Department Response:
Visitors to Saumarez park will no doubt have seen that a number of mature trees have fallen down recently as a result of a run of storms combined with unprecedented levels of rainfall over the autumn and winter periods.
As part of the management of the Park the Department always investigates any major failures of trees to try to identify all the factors that may have contributed. Samples of roots were taken from three separate Turkey oaks and taken to the "Plant Clinic" at Burnt Lane to check for disease. Although some of the roots were blackened no disease was found which suggests that waterlogged soil is the main culprit.
Waterlogged soils lose structure and adhesion and this increases the risk of trees blowing over in stormy conditions. Ground conditions have been so poor in the Park recently that the root plates of the fallen trees have literally sunk down into the spongy soil.
Trees are generally very adaptable and some species can cope with fairly long periods of water-logging. There is little that can be done to alleviate the current wet soil conditions except hope that it stops raining long enough to allow the water table to drop!
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
