Councillor Cathy Peters of the Marrickville Greens put a motion before Council last night in an attempt to delay the removal of the magnificent Lemon Scented Gum street tree in Cambridge Street Stanmore until all other avenues that could save it were explored.

A resident of Cambridge Street and I spoke for saving the tree.  The residents who wanted it removed also addressed council.  The Greens voted for the motion & Labor & the Independents Cls Marci & Thanos voted against the motion.  Therefore, the motion to save this tree failed.  The tree will be chopped down shortly.

I personally think it will be a huge loss to the residents of Cambridge Street & in terms of climate change, the whole community.  By my calculations, this single tree with a trunk circumference of 2.5 meters sequesters 388.2 kg of CO2 per year.  To my mind, this alone makes the tree exceptionally valuable.  The tree itself is also very beautiful & cascades over Cambridge Street cooling & making the air smell sweet.  I could go on about this tree’s benefits, but sadly it is to be lost.

A new ‘more suitable’ tree will be planted in its place.  Cambridge Street will not be the same again, a lesson in impermanence.

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