Last August I wrote about 10 Gordonias planted on the railway bridge on Richardsons Crescent at Tempe as part of Marrickville Council’s tree planting program. See – http://savingourtrees.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/street-trees-for-tempe/
These trees would have been wonderful, especially as this area has so few street trees. Unfortunately 3 of the trees were vandalized, first by knocking over the stakes & then on a second occasion, actually pulling out the trees. What a shame. The area needed some beauty & these trees would have provided beauty had they been allowed to grow. Gordonia are quite impressive when they are in flower. They are also good for wildlife.
I have written to Marrickville Council to ask that they replace the 3 trees that were removed to allow the original effect of a row of 10 flowering trees to have a second chance & to grow together so they are all of the same height. I hope that Marrickville Council has the funds & thinks that it is worthwhile trying again in this area. Tree vandalism hurts all of us.
** Council replied to my email saying that they were aware of these vandalised trees & that they intend to replace the 3 trees lost in next years planting season – August 2012. Thank you Marrickville Council.
10 Gordonias in a row - as they were last August
Three trees have been ripped out ensuring that this area will not reach its potential
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October 31, 2011 at 3:55 am
ArchitectGJA (Ed)
This vandalism impacts the entire community, a simply mindless act. Short of installing closed circuit TV cameras everywhere, education is likely the best method to diminish recurrences of such behaviour.
I know that even pre-school age children are fascinated by nature and when set on a course of awareness at a young age, they will be more apt to think twice as young adults before acting out so foolishly.
October 31, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Kristina
I was wondering how many planting seasons/sessions does Marrickville council do? Do they just do one per year? Would they do more if there was more community interest? Would they do more as part of an education programme – as a class excursion: to learn about tree species, to plant them, to learn how best to care for them, and to record the local animals near the tree planting. The excursion could start at a park for the info, chat, etc and then move on to the tree planting site, and then finish back at the park for a wrap up or afternoon snack!! This could be offered to school classes and kids community centres.
At Bicentennial Park at Glebe Point, there is a pre-school with in the park. On the fences I noticed some hand made signs done by the children asking people to take care in the area as birds were nesting. It was great to see this.
October 31, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Jacqueline
Thanks for your comment Kristina. As far as I know Marrickville Council has 1 planting season which starts in August & lasts a couple of months. It’s over for this year.
Your ideas for Council getting the kids involved is great. I do know that in the US, the community, from school age & upwards are very involved in tree plantings with many of the programs instigated by the City authorities. Million Trees NYC is an example. Some community groups work with the City authorities to plant street trees over many months of the year & they have watering programs so the trees don’t die.
November 1, 2011 at 8:02 am
Adam
I have been battling a tree vandal in my street for about a month now.
My street has mature trees, except for the nature strip in front of my immediate neighbour. With the neighbour’s and Council’s permission, I planted a tree – only to find it ripped out and thrown on the road a few hours later. The same thing had been happening with flowers I planted in front of my house for some time. However, I planned the timing of the tree to coincide with when all my neighbours were at work to try and ascertain who was the vandal.
After this act of vandalism, I confronted the only people who were home all day – and it turns out they were the vandals – an elderly migrant couple who, 5 houses away (the tree isn’t even visible from their propery) took it upon themselves to destroy not only the tree but also my own flowers.
I am replanting the tree tommorrow. I am prepared to make a formal complaint should the damage happen again.
Vandalism is very upsetting, especially of trees. In my experience it is usually a neighbour or nearby resident – as passerbys wouldn’t notice (or really care) about new plantings.
November 9, 2011 at 6:27 pm
brenda
I think Tree Vandals are both arrogant and ignorant because they see only their point of view and want to impose their will on everyone else at all costs.
I would like to encourage Marrickville Council to make sure the Gordonias are replaced as quickly as possible. I would also like the council to do more to educate people about the value of trees for the local community. Starting with school children is a good way to ensure a new generation grows up with respect for nature.