Residents of Sunstone Drive, a street lined with nearly half-a-million-pound homes in the Sonora Fields suburb of Sittingbourne, Kent, UK, are facing an ongoing battle with towering hybrid black poplar trees that have grown to an excessive height of 50 feet. These trees have cast a dark shadow over their lives, literally and figuratively, with their dense foliage blocking natural light and causing a persistent gloom. The fallen leaves from the trees create a slippery hazard, leading to numerous slips and falls among residents, including 59-year-old Julie Roalf, an above-knee amputee who has suffered multiple falls due to the hazardous conditions.
The overgrown trees have also caused structural damage to homes, with felled trees in the past damaging properties and raising concerns among residents about the stability of their own homes. The overarching height of the trees, surpassing the height of three-story houses, has raised fears about potential damage to foundations during storms or high winds, prompting residents to park their cars away from the trees for safety.
Despite repeated complaints and requests for action over the past five years, residents allege that Swale Borough Council (SBC) has failed to take sufficient measures to address the issue. According to Mrs. Roalf, only a few trees that were severely leaning or had already fallen have been removed, while the majority remain untouched, with only some lower branches trimmed to allow for vehicle passage. The promised reduction of the trees by a third in October never materialized, and subsequent assurances of trimming in January were also broken, leaving residents feeling frustrated and neglected.
The excessive height and density of the trees have not only caused physical problems for residents but have also taken a toll on their mental well-being. The perpetual darkness cast by the trees creates a gloomy atmosphere, affecting the mood and energy levels of residents. The constant need to keep lights on during the day adds to the sense of confinement and adds to residents’ energy bills.
One resident, Amanda Anderson, shared her concerns about the potential for falling trees to cause damage to property, as one tree on her street had already fallen in the past. The towering trees also raise safety concerns during storms, with residents fearing the impact of falling branches or uprooted trees.
Despite the severity of the situation, SBC has stated that they are aware of the tree inquiries in Sunstone Drive and have pruned and cut out several trees in the past. They also claim to have assessed the current situation and will issue work in accordance with their tree maintenance policy. However, Conservative ward councillor for the area, James Hunt, has expressed frustration that the issue has not been prioritized, despite its significant impact on residents’ lives.
Other residents in the Sonora Fields area have also reported damage to their homes caused by overgrown trees. Emma Tench had to urgently hire contractors to trim trees outside her home after her neighbor’s windows were shattered by branches during high winds. Despite initial trimming, the trees remain dangerously tall and pose a potential hazard to nearby homes.
The ongoing saga of the overgrown trees in Sunstone Drive highlights the importance of responsible tree management and the need for local authorities to respond promptly to residents’ concerns. The safety, well-being, and property values of residents should not be compromised due to neglected or inadequate maintenance of public trees.
