Tree Planting Proposal
We've all seen the peak time Metges Road traffic outside our estate increase over recent years and it's set to become significantly busier with the:
Completion of the Dunville and Cois Glaisin Housing Estates.
Johnstown School Campus expansion.
Planned apartments to replace the Athlumney Centre.
Planned apartments next to Bailis Village.
Farganstown development of up to 1600 new homes and Public Facilities beyond the Kentstown Road.
UPDATE - Project Completed
All responses received to the proposal below were positive, with no objections received, and the Tree Planting has been completed.
Proposal
To help shield us from this traffic we have been given the opportunity to plant a row of up to 20 Horse Chestnut (conker) trees along the border of the main green and Metges Road. We already have a cluster of these trees at the Bailis Downs entrance which are +20 years old.
Image illustrates the proposed location of up to 20 Horse Chestnut trees.
Planting Plan
The proposal is to plant a line of trees 8m apart and 8m away from both the street lights and roadside kerb of Metges Road.
The row will run between the existing Horse Chestnut Trees and stop at the tree ring on the main green since there are underground pipes near the roundabout.
Being deciduous trees they will drop their leaves in winter so should not cause any homes on Oak Crescent to be in shade. They will be planted 14m from the nearest front garden boundary wall.
The Ash Tree Line on Metges Road opposite the Shopping Centre at the Maple Estate is an example of the effect we're proposing.
The Trees will take time to grow
The saplings are only a foot tall at the moment and will grow approx one foot per year to become similar to those already found at the estate entrance.
It is hoped that next year, 2021, the Elm & Chestnut Lawn Estates opposite us in the Johnstown Wood Estate will plant trees to create an avenue feature.
The August edition of the Johnstown Times Community Magazine has more about Horse Chestnuts and the environmental reason for planting them.
Cost
The tree saplings are FREE via Johnstown Tidy Towns.
Volunteers
We will need help to dig the holes and the tree planting could be done with the help of children from our estate. Each tree would take approx 30 minutes to plant so the more helpers the quicker it can be done.
Planting Date
The consensus is to proceed with planting to take place weekend 12th September 2020 subject to the weather.