Month: October 2026

Gardeners who don’t appreciate the beauty and ecological importance of trees are, fortunately, a rarity. That said however, under some circumstances trees on allotment sites can impair the enjoyment of the site by its tenants, or by some of them, for its proper purpose.

Our Tenancy Agreements – the new ones – refer specifically to them, and state that:

• No conifer, broadleaf, or willow may be planted or maintained (that is, allowed to remain if already on the plot) and also state that bamboo is now prohibited too. Allotments Officer has also stated that bay trees and most common nut trees (which are usually huge) are simply broadleaf trees for the purposes of these rules.
• Fruit trees must be under four metres tall, and the Council direct that they should also be on dwarf root stock.

Unfortunately, historically, plot holders have quite often mistakenly assumed that as long as they comply with the above rules, then they can do as they otherwise wish regarding the planting of trees.

This is seriously mistaken however, and for the following reason: all of us are bound by an undertaking not to cause nuisance to any other plot holder nor to general site facilities.

So this means that in addition to the above rules:

• No tree must cast significant shade onto any other plot. (That is, any degree of shade to which another might object.)
• No part of a tree must overhang any other plot, nor obstruct any path or track.
• The previous mean that trees should only be planted well away from plot boundaries, especially the north or northeastern ones.

If these rules had been followed more generally, then a large number of problems on the site would have been avoided. It becomes apparent when clearing plots for new tenants however, that there’s been a tendency for plot holders to plant trees on or near the north or northeast boundary of their plots precisely so that the shade cast is on someone else’s plot and not on their own!

Long suffering plot holders, whose enjoyment of their plots has been blighted by the inconsiderate planting of neighbouring trees might assume that their predicament is simply part of the rough-and-tumble of allotment life, but this is just not so. They have every right to demand that the nuisance be removed.

PPAA volunteers are addressing the backlog of problems caused by badly-sited or otherwise problematic trees, and removing them as plots are cleared.

However, plot holders generally can assist in this work.

PPAA Committee have agreed in principle that some funds should be made available to assist with the removal of trees from plots where the holder would like to comply with their undertakings. Priority will be given where they inherited the tree with the plot, and also where they apply in good time, that is, first-come-first-served.

It’s as well that we make clear however, that if a plot holder with a non-compliant tree doesn’t take up this offer – and especially if there were any complaint – then following the Council-mandated Plot Inspections they may be required to remove it at their own expense.

Those wanting to benefit from this offer should contact PPAA Committee with plot number, details of the tree(s), and ideally a ‘phone number too. They should do so before Friday, November 20th 2026.

Tenants should be generally aware also, that a professional tree surgery company will be removing or trimming back dead and dangerous trees at the edges of the Pontcanna allotments site. Trees will also be cut back at the rear of allotments along the Western Avenue boundary.

PPA Website Team

During last night (24/25 10 26) thieves entered PPA, evidently carrying powerful and versatile cutting equipment.

They broke into the – hitherto resistant to entry attempts – green shipping container and also the shop. Expensive items were taken. We understand that the WA gate was left ajar, but by the time that PPAA volunteers arrived it was locked again.

We would very much like to hear from anyone who used the Western Avenue end entrance early this (Sunday) morning (before 0730, by which time the gate had been properly locked) and especially the condition in which they found the gate. That is, whether it had been forced (mortice bolt still extended) or opened by key (mortice bolt retracted into lock case).

The PPAA structures have been made secure, at least against casual intruders, but plot holders may wish to check their own plots and possessions for any loss.

PPA Website Team for PPAA Committee

There’s a likelihood of gales toward the end of the week.

Would all plot holders therefore please:

• Make sure that all structures are made capable of withstanding this.
• Secure any materials which might otherwise be blown about the site. (E.g. by putting stones on polythene etc.)
• Recognise that if they’re unfortunate enough to have unwanted items or materials blown onto their plot from elsewhere, and the source can’t be identified, then it is their responsibility to dispose of them off site. (This is just an ordinary part of allotment life.) Dumping them anywhere on site would be as much fly tipping as if the original owner had done this.
• Branches brought down e.g. from the Council park onto plots will, on the other hand, be dealt with where feasible by PPAA Committee volunteers. (Allotments are, we understand, low priority for the attention of Council workers in such matters, and so delays are otherwise to be expected.)

PPA Website Team