​

Adam Cormack, head of campaigning for the Woodland Trust said: 'The local community has made a powerful case to retain the tree, adopting the slogan #noticethistree. We did notice, and so did thousands more.

'In too many places we see well-loved mature trees lost to development rather than designed into plans from the start. When this happens it's a lose-lose situation. The tree itself is lost and people lose something that made their lives better.'

​,Read the Woodland Trust press release

'It’s easy for developers to overlook the value of existing trees as has happened with the Happy Man Tree. Too often we see well-loved, mature trees lost to development rather than designed into plans from the start.

'We’ve been campaigning for new developments to have a target of 30% tree canopy cover. Retaining existing trees, and ensuring councils have the resources to manage them, must be the first step in efforts to increase tree canopy cover. Planting new trees is important, but it takes time for them to mature and provide the benefits that trees like the Happy Man Tree offer.'

,Read Adam's blog on Tree of the Year 2020 set to be felled on London street

They're our neighbours. Old friends. They're at the heart of our community. Street trees add character to our streets, join us on our daily commute and provide a host of benefits for people, wildlife and our urban environment. But they're under threat.

See the Woodland Trust's Street Trees project

,Read our full statement on the Happy Man Tree becoming Tree of the Year for England 2020

We are delighted with the ,,announcement that our much loved 150 year old local tree has won the popular vote for the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year for England for 2020.(1) This is a wonderful show of support, not only for the Happy Man Tree, but for all the overlooked street trees across the UK that are a vital part of our efforts to reverse the climate and ecological crisis we are in and which mean so much to their communities.

The Happy Man Tree was originally due to be felled in May as part of work on the Woodberry Down Phase 3 development.(2) The Friends of the Happy Man Tree, united by our shared commitment to saving the tree, quickly came together to stop this and have since kept a protective presence at the tree including sleeping on a platform constructed in its branches.

We have been amazed at the support for the tree from the local and wider community. During the pandemic, when so many people have struggled with social isolation, it has offered a safe physically distant space for coming together. Music, art work, poetry and more have been created and shared under its canopy, bringing joy to community members of all ages and backgrounds during this difficult time.

Over 25,000 people signed our petition to the Mayor of Hackney Council asking for the tree to be saved, with the tree’s story even receiving international support. In June, however, individual campaigners were targeted for legal action by Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes. A high court injunction was granted, which will allow them to remove or arrest campaigners when the tree is felled.

In July we launched our own legal challenge to stop the tree being cut down. Hackney Council agreed to reconsider the planning application as a result, but in early September the planning committee voted the scheme through again with little consideration of the mass of objections about the Happy Man Tree and a range of other concerns about this problematic development.(3)

Phase 3 is part of a 30 year regeneration of Woodberry Down estate which is bringing huge change to the whole area. For many local residents, the Happy Man Tree is a much loved and longstanding cultural reference point, that connects the past to the present and is a constant in this profoundly changed landscape which they are unwilling to sacrifice to a falsely polarised choice of homes or trees.

Sylvia, an elderly local resident who has stood by the tree to protect it has said:

“I came to the area when I got married 63 years ago. My sons went to a local school and the tree was always a big source of interest for them. It was always there. If they take the tree away, local history will go out of the window. So much has already changed and it’s such a big part of Woodberry Down. People used to live in such a close knit way and the campaign has brought some of this feeling of local community back again.”

The council have failed to adequately consider alternative designs for the development which could both save the Happy Man Tree and maintain the number of social and affordable housing units built, despite a number of viable options being proposed.(4) They have relied on promises of tree planting which will take many decades to make up for the environmental and cultural loss of the Happy Man Tree and the 43 other mature trees due to be cut down.

The council's decision-making around the Happy Man Tree fails to live up to its 2019 climate emergency declaration and its policy in support of amenity trees. It sought to diminish the amenity and cultural relevance of the Happy Man Tree and chose to use a narrow and elitist definition of cultural value that undermines the importance that the Happy Man Tree holds for the community. With the climate emergency, we cannot continue to fell mature trees to make way for developments without genuine consideration of alternative solutions. 

We wholeheartedly thank the Woodland Trust for this award and all the invaluable work they do for trees and woodlands. We are exploring using the £1,000 care award to raise awareness about the value of mature trees in the local area. We are so grateful to all the supporters of the Happy Man Tree, near and far, who voted for a common street tree amongst a shortlist of unique and majestic trees. Your vote is recognition of the power of urban nature to enrich our everyday lives and the importance of protecting and preserving it.

We fully support the Woodland Trust's Street Trees project (5,6) and are thrilled that recognition of the Happy Man Tree will also boost growing awareness of the importance of street trees to the communities in which they stand.

The future of the Happy Man Tree is uncertain.(7) We look to Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes to do the right thing and redesign the development to allow the tree to continue where it has already stood for 150 years. Failing this, we are currently fundraising to explore options for a further legal challenge with the aim of saving the Happy Man Tree for future generations of Woodberry Down residents.

Contact and other details

The Happy Man Tree is on Woodberry Grove, London N4. ,,,,See map.

Twitter: @happymantree; Facebook: thehappymantree; Instagram: @thehappymantree

Media enquiries: ,,,,happymantree@drifting.org.uk

Notes

1. Woodland Trust Tree of the Year: ,,,https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/tree-of-the-year/
2. The Happy Man Tree is a 150 year old grade A London Plane street tree located next to the recently demolished Happy Man pub. The tree has been identified on a map from the 1870s. Construction of Woodberry Down estate started in 1949. Although the tree is outside of perimeter of the scheme, the development's partners, Berkeley Homes and Hackney Council maintain that it must be removed.
3. See more about the 9 Sept planning meeting here: ,,,https://archive.thehappymantree.org/post/hurdles-and-frustration-as-council-approves-cutting-down-the-happy-man-tree
4. A number of alternative designs which would allow the Happy Man Tree to be saved have been put forward, including an option developed by Friends of the Happy Man Tree: ,,,https://archive.thehappymantree.org/post/phase-3-design-option-to-retain-the-happy-man-tree
5. Mark Johnston, author of Street Trees in Britain: A History, on the connection people have to urban trees over the centuries and their place in modern urban life. “They’re more than just current environmental assets. They’re part of our heritage and the history of our communities. They’re the most amazing living things in our streets. If we lose them, we lose part of our history.”,,,https://stories.woodlandtrust.org.uk/streetfighters/
6. Woodland Trust Street Trees project: “Urban trees hold historical and cultural significance. They’re part of our urban heritage. They’re landmarks. Old friends. But they also serve us in other ways. They clean our air. They shade our pavements. They lift spirits, feed wildlife and beautify our surroundings. They even increase the value of our homes. Without trees, our towns and cities would be very different places.” ,,,https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/street-trees/
7. Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes have promised not to cut the Happy Man Tree down until the London Mayor referral process and the section 106 agreement are complete.  https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2020/09/10/happy-man-tree-felled-councillors-accept-loss-heavy-heart/

A proposal has been developed by several architects in Friends of the Happy Man Tree which will allow the tree to be retained and all the intended social and affordable housing to be built.

Hackney Council's new local plan states that, 'All development proposals must retain and protect existing trees of amenity value, i.e. those that have interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally.' The Happy Man Tree is estimated to be 150 years old and a category A tree which has significant value to the local community.

This design shows that the same number of units can be built and the Happy Man Tree can be retained. The main redesign comes in Phase 3B so would not delay the first phase (Phase 3A). This option would see the south-west corner of block A1 removed and replaced by a cafe terrace facing the Happy Man Tree. Units lost in A1 would be replaced in blocks B4 and B5.

Watch this short film about the proposal.

Our proposals enhance the scheme and add value in a number of ways:

1. Retaining the tree adds value since it is important to many local Woodberry Down residents.
2. This option will bring more sunlight into the private Podium Courtyard garden and give the users a view of the canopy of the Happy Man Tree.
3. This design creates a new courtyard at street level on Woodberry Grove and a community space and cafe looking out to the tree and the town square to be built in Phase 4.
4. This option offers the possibility of an entrance to the energy centre and would provide more daylight to the new centre.
5. This option breaks up the long straight façade of Woodberry Grove currently proposed by Berkeley Homes.
6. Phase 4 proposes a town square on the west side of Woodberry Grove and a tall 20 storey tower is proposed on corner of Woodberry Grove and Seven Sister’s Road. This option will create an amenity space on the east side to complement the town square and link the open space either side of Woodberry Grove.
7. This option loses affordable units at the south end of A1 but replaces both social housing and intermediate shared ownership housing by adding extra storeys to B4 and B5 on the south side of Phase 3.
8. Our proposals for B4 and B5 are higher than the 2013 masterplan; however, Berkeley Homes have already breached the masterplan within the current planning application. By replacing the units lost in Phase 3A during Phase 3B, significant redesigns of Phase 3A, which could cause delay, will be unnecessary.
9. This option (removal of the south end of A1) has already been discussed in principle during earlier considerations of alternative proposals.
10. The community space proposed will link the town square, the Happy Man Tree and the street level Courtyard and is likely to be more popular than the standard retail space offered in the current design.

Download a leaflet with this information.

Friends of the Happy Man Tree invite you to a Happy Man Festivitree on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August, 1pm to 6pm, Woodberry Grove, N4 2RD

On 31 August it is 100 days since Berkeley Homes and Hackney Council tried to cut down the Happy Man Tree (only to be stopped on the day by some persistent Friends of the Happy Man Tree!) … and we are celebrating the nomination for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year!

Please join us for an afternoon of activities to celebrate.

EXPERIENCE THE HAPPY MAN TREE IN ALL ITS GLORY!

FAMILY SPACE – tree-related art, stories and fun.

WORDS – including a talk by Russell Miller, from Hackney's Tree Musketeers and the Ancient Tree Forum) at 3.15pm.

MUSIC - performances from the brilliant Radfax Band and Art Terry - singer/songwriter and presenter of Is Black Music on Resonance FM.

DESIGNING FOR TREES - Join architects to explore how we can build around trees. Take a look at the 3D model that shows how Phase 3 of the Woodberry Down development can be adapted to retain the Happy Man Tree alongside the provision of all the intended housing with minimum delay.

This is a socially distanced event - sanitiser will be available and there will be distancing guidelines. Please wear masks.

The Happy Man Tree has been nominated for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year 2020.

Read the nominations for all the wonderful trees and cast your vote ,,here.

From the Woodland Trust:

The Happy Man Tree, Hackney, London

Currently earmarked for felling, the plight of this 150-year-old plane has awakened something in a community that couldn’t bear to see it go. The dressing of the tree, and the signs behind it, are testament to the strength of feeling among the local campaigning community. As an urban tree, it makes an important contribution to combatting air pollution and making grey city streets green. But the community sees it as more than just the sum of its parts – it is part of the estate, part of their collective history. The threat to the Happy Man Tree highlights how important it is that all housing developments are planned with existing and mature trees at their heart: we all deserve trees and green spaces around where we live, including in our most urban areas.

Vote for the Happy Man Tree

The future of the Happy Man Tree will be decided at a Hackney Council planning meeting on 9 September.

Local residents and members of the community now have a chance to send comments about the Happy Man Tree to the Planning Committee.

• Friends of the Happy Man Tree are campaigning for the tree to be kept as part of Phase 3 of the Woodberry Down development. We believe that with some commitment the tree can be retained alongside the provision of new social housing.
• The Happy Man Tree provides important ecological benefits.
• The Happy Man Tree is a much loved part of the community. It is a healthy mature tree which has stood for 150 years, surviving two world wars and the estate's development around it.
• Many hundreds of supporters have told us that they want the Happy Man Tree to be kept.

How to send in your comments

Hackney Council are inviting comments for consideration by the Planning Committee to be received by 1 September. Comments need not be lengthy and could just be a few sentences.

Please EMAIL COMMENTS to planning@hackney.gov.uk about saving the Happy Man Tree or anything else about the development (putting Woodberry Down Phase 3 in the subject heading).

You can also SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS ONLINE and look at details of the development by searching by application number 2019/2514 at https://hackney.gov.uk/planning-applications

If you would like support to submit your comments a volunteer at the Happy Man Tree will be able to help you.

Download the leaflet

Crowdjustice fundraising update – plans that will destroy the Happy Man Tree to go back to the planning committee and judicial review applied for.

Hackney Council have conceded that the Woodberry Down Phase 3 development application, which includes the removal of the Happy Man Tree, amongst other mature trees, will go back to the planning committee for reconsideration – they are suggesting in September 2020. The reason they have given for going back to the planning committee is that the Council has adopted a new Local Plan but it seems to us that our judicial review pre-action protocol letter obviously prompted the reconsideration.

Whatever the reason, we hope that going back to committee his will provide a genuine opportunity for our objections and alternative proposals for Phase 3 to be properly discussed. The council will be mindful of the recent judgement of the High Court in the Holborn Studios case, that found that their attempts to limit what they consider to be lobbying in the planning process are unlawful. The council have stated that they will be reviewing this practice.

Although the Council and Berkeley Homes have said they do not intend to cut down the Happy Man Tree prior to the reconsideration, we are concerned that Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes are relying on a licence entered into on or about 24 April 2020 (the same date as the resolution to grant planning permission) to allow Berkeley Homes to go onto the Council’s land and cut down the Happy Man Tree. We asked them not to rely on this licence to cut down the Happy Man Tree and to obtain another licence if they do receive planning permission to cut down the tree as part of the Phase 3 development. They both refused so we had no choice but to issue judicial review proceedings to quash this licence.

We continue to seek dialogue with Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes about working up alternative designs for Phase 3 that have previously been put on the table, and which do not involve the cutting down of the Happy Man Tree, and to support positive outcomes for all parties.

Donate to our Crowdjustice fundraiser to help save the Happy Man Tree

PLEASE DONATE TOWARDS THE COST OF OUR LEGAL CHALLENGE

Last week, an application for an injunction against us was granted to Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes in the High Court. People from the local community who are maintaining a presence at the Happy Man Tree day and night have been threatened with heavy penalties.

Demolition of the pub next to the Happy Man Tree has started and the legal notice for us to leave the tree and stop protecting it could be served any day now.

However, we are now pursuing our own legal action. 

We have instructed our solicitors to challenge Hackney Council on two grounds:

• Parts of the planning decision which includes the destruction of the Happy Man Tree have been identified as unlawful. A similar legal challenge was recently won by Holborn Studios and acts as a strong precedent.
• Demolition of The Happy Man pub next to the tree has already started and this is likely to damage the tree. However, full planning permission has not yet been granted – only a resolution to grant planning permission – so this work is proceeding unlawfully.

Our only way forward is to challenge the unlawful actions of Hackney Council and seek a Judicial Review.

The cost of the initial phase of legal action could be upwards of  £10,000. Please help us get to our first target of £6,000.

We have already incurred costs for legal advice to protect local people who were singled out in the injunction proceedings so we are asking supporters of the Happy Man Tree to contribute towards the costs of this new challenge.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERY DONATION.

Donate here

PLEASE ALSO SHARE OUR FUNDRAISER. 

With your support we can save the Happy Man Tree and stand up for the genuine involvement of local people in the development of their communities.

Thank you!!

In June 2020, we rallied at Hackney Town Hall and handed in the petition to save the Happy Man Tree to the Mayor of Hackney with 22,000 signatures. Watch the video of local residents speaking about what this 150 year-old tree means to them, why trees are important for our culture and well-being, and why mature and healthy trees should not be destroyed.

(Twitter post 14th June commenting on Saturday Night Live at the HMT on Saturday 13th June.)

On Saturday 13th we held a simple 20 minute event at the tree called ‘Saturday Night live at the HMT’ We started streaming at 9.40pm as dusk fell, with gentle drumming followed by a classical recorder player and culminating with lights being switched on to light up the tree. To our surprise and joy, the event was watched by over 500 people, both at the tree and via live streaming.

As the event built, something gradually and softly seemed to emerge. Words being used by people are “lovely” “beautiful” “gentle” “connecting” “wonderful and “love”. This piece is a reflection upon that emergence.

The tree and its canopy stretches over to the other side of the road. People attending the event were within the trees orbit. I feel there is a subtle influence when we are under and around an old tree. A tree like the HMT that is mature enough and of sufficient stature to allow enough space to properly envelop those that go within and under its leaves. People for centuries across the world have gathered around such trees; to talk, converse and connect. This is what happened last night. There was a gathering around a venerable large beautiful 150 year old tree. Music, song and poetry emerged, some performed high in the tree others at the base of the trunk. The influence of being under the Happy Man Tree’s leaves and its 150 year old aura added an intensity of experience and enhanced the sharing of the performances. In short I am suggesting we became closer as a group because of the tree.

This can only happen under a truly mature tree, one that is decades and especially centuries old. The older the tree the more we seek to go near and spend time with it. It is a special experience to be with a living being that is much older than any of us. It takes decades for this kind of tree to grow, and for us to be able to come underneath it and share experiences.

All of the arguments to justify the felling of this 150 year old majestic tree are based around numerical calculations. This is the world of measuring, of ‘metrics’, trying like an environmental bookkeeper to assess the numerical ‘value’ of a mature tree and setting that against other values. The results are a series of numbers thrown out to the public, such as the number of new trees planted, or the net increase in biodiversity of the whole phase 3 scheme ( A surprisingly precise 154% if you wanted to know) This is the perspective taken by Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes (they are not alone). In their view, the only way a tree can be valued is with numbers.

However none of this can measure the meaning of what it feels like to be within and under the Happy Man Tree. Meaning and feelings are not numbers that can be put into spreadsheet. But that does not make them invalid. When people talk about the HMT they speak in real world language of meaning and feelings. This is a world away from the spreadsheet reports of developers and councils.

Speaking personally. Last night made it clear to me why it is so important that the Happy Man Tree is saved. I do believe it is time that we opened ourselves up to the feeling and meaning trees have for us. These have to be respected by powerful organisations when they plan their projects. Unfortunately this not happening here. The justifications by Hackney Council and Berkeley Homes to fell the Happy Man Tree ignore the feelings of a community and disrespect the real meaning the tree has for people. They are abusing their power and as a result causing anxiety anger upset and pain. This has to be stopped.

To destroy this tree, which is unique on the street, would be to remove all possibilities to be with a genuinely mature tree for decades to come. It will literally be 150 years before a Happy Man Tree would be there again as it is now. Only then might future generations be able to experience what we were able to feel last night. No amount of mitigation can compensate for that loss.

“CUSTODIANS”

We sense that we are all the Custodians of this beautiful tree which has been growing on the pavement for over 150 years. In addition, my neighbours and I are distressed at the possibility of losing this tree because it means more than just one tree, it is ONE MORE TREE.

Four generations of my family have lived in Woodberry Down and contributed to community life in paid and voluntary work since 1954, at the Comprehensive School, St Olave’s church, the Jewish Youth Club, the Tenants’ Association, the Community Club and in the long campaign which saved the Stoke Newington Reservoirs and New River, now forming Woodberry Wetlands. Before the post-war LCC housing estate and pioneering school were built, large houses stood here with extensive gardens, as recalled by Council tenants in the book, Woodberry Down Memories. Now, I will share my memories with you.

When I was aged seven years, I was admitted to Hackney Children's Hospital. I was either there or indoors for about a month. My only abiding memory of my recovery is after my first day back at school, walking towards the shops and being struck by the transformation of the magnificent horse chestnut tree that stood on the corner of the Woodberry Down Comprehensive School. Spring had arrived and it was crowned in brilliant green with white candles. It also formed the backdrop in a photo taken of a friend, when covered in celebratory powder paint, we left school.

I adored my grandparents who lived on the ground floor of Nicholl House near the church. On the small lawn between their entrance and the road there was a mature London Plane tree. On occasions, my sister and I would ask to cross Spring Park Drive, step over the concrete wall and play on the lawn where at times we would find acorns and conkers from the four or more mature trees there. Further along where the lawn widened in front of Peak House, a lovely blossoming pear tree was prominent.

Outside of Martin's newsagent's and the Council Area Base in Woodberry Grove, there grew a row of Lime trees in raised beds built of grey stone bricks. My grandfather is photographed here in 1954 on his first day in Woodberry Down, having moved from Fulham.

As well as attending the Comprehensive, I later worked there writing and producing learning resources. I often worked in the first floor Media Resources Office. On numerous occasions staff would enter and remark on, and ask about, the interesting and beautiful tree which one could almost touch from this room. It was a Mulberry tree. These trees associated with the silk industry are now recognised as being significant to the history of East London. Another used to stand in the garden of a house opposite the church hall. Between the girls' gym, which remains and Woodberry Down, another very broad horse chestnut spread which had pink candles.

Living in Bewdley House until the age of four, I discovered a crab apple from a tree on the lawn at nearby Ombersley House and learnt what this was. One day unusually, my grandmother met me from the infant school. On our way to Nicholl, I found what I learned was a caterpillar, on one of the lime trees that lined Seven Sisters Road until the mid 1960s.

I stress, I had no interest in nature conservation and knew nobody who did; it was dull. Even the significance of the children's programme, 'Magpie' was lost on me - Well, I'd never seen a magpie!

I’m assured the buildings had to go in the ‘Regeneration’, but the trees? Yes, all the above trees were destroyed by Berkeley Homes in the early part of the redevelopment, fracturing my 'Sense of Place'. My neighbours and I mourn the loss of these trees. So, standing up for the Happy Man Tree, standing up to be counted, are it’s Custodians.

Somebody offered to make us a banner. We said yes. The result is a beautiful and uplifting creation. It went up around late afternoon helped hugely by an expert in tree climbing - the banner’s size meant it wasn't particularly easy to hang up. It was a magical moment when it was unfurled. We realised how powerful it was and how clear the message is .

The banner has the following words #noticethistree. We feel this might be an important message to convey to all of us. The Happy Man Tree is condemned. If we don't notice it, it will definitely go. We feel that all trees under threat might be #noticethistree. In this case this tree is under threat because it is simply seen to be in the way. It is at times like these that we really do need to #noticethistree and many like it who are being felled whatever the reason. There are 33 other trees that are also condemned as part of this phase (Phase 3) of the Woodberry Down regeneration. In each and every case if we don't #noticethistree then the organisations and people that are responsible for the destruction of these trees will be able to continue to destroy them, and continue to believe that trees expendable.

What might #noticethistree mean in practice? There are so many way different ways that we can #noticethistree. For the Happy Man Tree some of us are protesting and occupying and sleeping by it and writing blog posts like this. Some others talk and write their stories and memories and tell what the tree means. Others have created paintings and poetry. Some simply stop and look for a moment. It doesn't matter how this tree is noticed. Just that we do take some time however small or big to #noticethistree. The same might apply to any tree under threat no matter where they are in the world. We can all find a way to #noticethistree. Many times, sadly, trees are cut down. But we can still #noticethistree long after it has been destroyed. If we can #noticethistree properly after it has gone, then we may suffer a great loss, but we have not necessarily lost.