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Marrickville Council have given notification that they intend to remove the following public tree -
Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Red ironbark) at 243 Old Canterbury Road (Maddock St frontage), Dulwich Hill
Maddock Street Dulwich Hill
They give the following reasons for removal –
- An independent arborist inspection has identified the tree presents an unacceptable hazard to the public due to:
- major structural fault at co-dominant stem union; major stem wound.
Council says they will replace this tree with a Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Red ironbark), but don’t say when they intend to do this.
This tree was in a poor state. I will not be making a submission. The deadline for any comments or submissions is Friday 21st October 2011.
In an example of planting for the right conditions, this Ornamental pear street tree on Crystal Street Petersham was planted directly under the boughs of a large private tree that overhangs the footpath above head height. Someone has solved the problem by vandalising the street tree.
After 110 days Richard Pennicuik has come down voluntarily from his tree sit-in protest. Amazingly, City of Gosnells Council still intends to chop this tree down despite the tree proving itself to be sturdy by not falling down during last Monday’s severe storm that caused $200 million of damage. Well done! Whatever you think about the tree, you really must admire the strength & determination of a man who is prepared to suffer for his principles.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6986524/tree-mans-protest-ending-report/
On 19th March, the following 3 street trees were put up on Marrickville Council’s web-site for removal.
1. Mature Corymbia citriodora (Lemon Scented Gum) outside 11 Union Street Dulwich Hill. This tree was the first campaign for SoT in June last year. At that time Council said the problem was ‘whole tree failure’ which I & other members of the community disputed.
showing the recent splits & the 'bleeding' from the nails which were hammered in last June 2009 - using a wide angle lens makes the tree appear taller than it is
The outcome was Council surveyed the tree & intended to monitor to see if the lean increased. Their report says a lot has happened to this tree since then.
This time they say: Asymmetric root–plate development due to restrictive growth environment. (as does a huge percentage of mature trees in Marrickville LGA due to failure to remove cement from around their trunks), buttressing of the base of the tree over the adjacent kerb. This predisposes the tree to wind-throw in extreme weather conditions. There is also a risk of whole tree failure if the kerb collapses. Extensive structural root & crown decay in the plane of compressive stress. This condition is compounded by the tree exhibiting a moderate lean in the plane of decay. The decay has been caused by the presence of the naturally occurring fungal decay pathogen Armilaria leuteobubalina. The tree is exposed to south-easterly winds in the direction of lean & in the plane of decay. This is compounded by the tree exhibiting an asymmetric canopy, with the majority of the canopy being present in the direction of the lean of the tree (what does Council think of all the masses of asymmetric trees which have been made this way by Energy Australia?) Severance of structural roots on the windward side of the tree as a result of excavations undertaken by Sydney Water.
I interpret the above as: this tree is likely to fall over if there is an extreme weather event, especially if the wind comes from a south-easterly direction or if the sandstone kerb collapses. The tree has been placed at risk because Sydney Water severed its structural roots. Finally, the tree has caught a fungal disease & this sews up the argument for removal. As this fungus stays in the ground for a while, Council will not replace the tree for 2 years. Council does not say what species the replacement will be.
I went to have a look at this tree & its condition has really changed. In my opinion it needs to go. I can’t identify Armilaria leuteobubalina, but I can tell when a tree is deteriorating & this one is. It has recently developed 2 large vertical splits in its trunk that regardless of the other things afflicting this tree, indicate its demise.
Its loss is going to have a dramatic affect on the streetscape as it cascades beautifully over Union Street & is clearly visible from the café on the corner. The deadline for submissions is 2nd April 2010.
2. The second street tree is a Eucalyptus scoparia (Wallangarra White Gum) outside 70 Railway Street Petersham. Council’s report says: Extensive stem decay & is at risk of
showing the decay & damage by borers
breakage. No disagreement from me with this tree. It looks like it has or had borers & they entered via a newly cut branch.
I am pleased to note that Council says they will replace it with a Lemon Scented Gum. I do know a number of Petersham residents who are worried that Council will remove their Gums. (I just realised how this reads like & will leave it for a bit of fun). Put in a way that does not sound like dental work, residents fear that Council will remove the Eucalypts, so replacement with a tall growing Eucalypt will please many. The deadline for submissions is 9th April 2010.
3. The third tree required a certain amount of sleuthing on my part to locate because I failed to notice the word ‘adjacent.’ This is another Eucalyptus scoparia (Wallangarra
massive damage to this tree as well as termites
White Gum). It sits in a lovely little space between 2 types of stairs (ordinary/normal stairs & thrill-seeker/kill off your granny stairs – see photo in this post) that connect Day Street with Hampden Avenue. There are a number of mature trees in this little triangle of dirt.
Council’s report says: Extensive column decay in trunk. Termite activity evident. Again, both these were easy to see. I also think the people who live in the house directly next to & below this particular tree may breath a sigh of relief when it goes. They may have held their breath through a few storms, worried that it would crash on their house. I know I would have. Council will replace this tree with a Eucalyptus microcorys (Tallow Wood), which will be nice. The deadline for submissions is 9th April 2010.
I was enormously pleased to see that Marrickville Council had used wide sticky tape to fasten the ‘notice of removal’ signs on all 3 trees. Thank you for doing this. This is a big
The ramp on the right is very steep - I assume it was used when the quarry across the road was active
change from previous practice of nailing in the signs & seems more effective because all 6 signs are still in place.
I was also very pleased to note the more detailed information provided with the ‘notification for removal.’ Although I recognise this takes more time for Council staff, it helps them in the long run because the community does not have to guess why the trees are up for removal. All 3 notifications & especially the one in Union Street gave clear & descriptive reasons. Coupled with the use of tape instead of nails, this is a great improvement & goes to generating goodwill.
Apparently the period for submissions for public trees is 14 days, not 21 as we have experienced throughout the latter half of 2009. Council says they allow 21 days for submissions if the tree is significant in some way. 14 days doesn’t allow much time, but if we are organised, it can be done. It also means that I cannot be slow in noticing new trees for removal on their web-site.
I am not going to put in a submission for any of the current trees as I believe they all should be removed.
Last Friday, I was called to Excelsior Parade Marrickville, home of ‘The Pride of Excelsior.’ (see Shame Page) “Energy Australia are pruning the trees.” I arrived just as they were finishing. Whether due to recent bad publicity plaguing the energy companies or just a good crew of contractors, they had done a good job.
Energy Australia removed only what was necessary
I always give credit where when it’s due. This is one such occasion. I have been worried about these trees knowing that Energy Australia were due. This time there were only a few branches on the road & they had taken care not to over prune.
Interestingly, a small crowd had gathered to assess the work, indicating that others hold these trees in high esteem as well.
The trees are Brush Box, large & old, just the type that Council have recommended to be chopped down & replaced in their Tree Strategies Issues Paper (see last post). No one knows when these trees were planted, but the housing was built in 1915. Older residents said the trees went in around that time. They form a canopy over the street & support a myriad of wildlife. Everyone who comes to this street mentions the beauty of these trees. Even the real estate agents mention them in their advertising when a house is up for sale & I am sure the house prices reflect their presence.
A Fire-Wheel tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus, Wheel of Fire, White Beefwood, White Oak for those of you who like botanical names) had to be topped for the cables. This native species of tree can grow to 40m, but more commonly to 15m in cultivation. Question is, why was this tree planted under electricity wires around 5 years ago? It will continue to grow & by the time Energy Australia return, the trunk will have grown taller. Routine pruning will then turn this tree into a flat umbrella & Council will probably chop it down. In Los Angles, Fire-Wheels are classified as heritage trees & they are described as a ‘fragile tree.’ So, well done Energy Australia. Thank you for leaving the trees looking beautiful. I am sure the community will be happy you did.
Integral Energy butchered these street trees in Valentine Ave Blacktown
Not so for the residents of Valentine Avenue Blacktown & Browning Crescent Lalor Park, who complained about the pruning practices of Integral Energy contractors recently. (see my posts More butchering of street trees & Bakers dozen or it dozen matter). Curious to see just how bad the damage was & to compare with what has happened in Marrickville LGA, we took a trip there last weekend to see the trees. What a shocker! They were butchered & the residents were entitled to complain.
Compare the two trees
The visit was worthwhile on a number of fronts. I now know that Blacktown Council took action to prevent savage over-pruning, whereas in cases of severe over pruning in Marrickville LGA no action seems to have been taken. Marrickville Council also can intervene in the future, rather than sit back & allow our assets to be destroyed.
Tree-lined M4 which must assist local wildlife
I haven’t been on the M4 for a while. After leaving the eyesore of Parramatta Road, which seriously needs the intervention of multiple councils, we reached the expressway. This has become a green corridor as the trees planted for the Olympics have grown & now present a tall, lush, green screen. It is quite an achievement to make a highway look nice, but they have done it.
I also discovered that Blacktown, Seven Hills & Lalor Park are as green as Eastwood. There are tall trees everywhere, many of them Eucalypts & it is impossible to count the trees on the horizon. I think Blacktown Council has done well regarding street trees. I found other articles about the recent pruning of street trees & in other locations the Blacktown area. From the Blacktown Sun - http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/news/local/news/general/pruning-vandalism/1729453.aspx & another from the Blacktown Advocate – http://blacktown-advocate.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/why-is-energy-australia-mutilating-blacktowns-trees/ & from the Cumberland Courier – http://cumberland-courier.whereilive.com.au/your-news/comments/why-is-energy-australia-mutilating-blacktowns-trees/
During my research I was stunned to read that Blacktown City Council gives away 70,000 trees every year free to residents as part of the Visionary Greening Of Blacktown Program. It’s working. Then I came across “more than 7,000 native trees have been planted in Fairfield as part of Blacktown City Council Council’s Regenesis Project.” (Aug & Sept 09) http://www.streetcorner.com.au/news/showPost.cfm?bid=11987&mycomm=WC A look at Blacktown Council’s web-site revealed more. Over 500 residents & businesses people helped plant 23,370 native trees, shrubs & grasses over 8 month period ending June 09. http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news-releases/wow-23370-trees-planted-since-october.cfm
The Sikh temple & a street in the new housing estate
Even the Sikh Centre, a massive temple, has been given an Environment Grant ($4,200) to rejuvenate the local streetscape, as this is a new housing development with building still under way.
Blacktown City Council has done a Tree Inventory & they also have a Significant Tree Register. Our Council has neither & at present have no intention to do so.
I’m going to stop now because I sound like I have set up the Blacktown City Council Fan Club. http://www.bccfanclub.org.au for your free t-shirt! (NOTE: no such web-site) This research started because I wanted to know why our Council ignores what happens to our street trees & Blacktown Council doesn’t. Now I can see why. It’s also good to know what other Council’s are doing about street trees & over-all greening of their municipality so we know what is a reasonable expectation.
Back to the Brush Box trees on Excelsior Parade. These trees are also at risk of being damaged by passing trucks. Residents in the area are campaigning on a number of issues & one of their concerns is that long semi-trailers on Excelsior Parade will destroy the trees. Considering the damage heavy vehicles have caused to trees in the nearby Carrington Road (see post -http://savingourtrees.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/5th-january-2010-saved-by-the-land-environment-court-maimed-by-trucks/) I think their concerns are justified. To view their concerns go to the Council Gripe web-site at – http://councilgripe.com/content/marrickville-council-police-inaction-re-traffic-safety-warren-road-marrickville
Top right shows the overhead cables cut across the corner-the trees here were scooped out even though they were a fair distance from the cables
I was invited by Marrickville Greens to go to watch the magnificent Lemon Scented Gum street tree in Cambridge Street Stanmore being chopped down by Marrickville Council. For various reasons I declined, but I know I did not want this image imprinted on my memory. I have come to love this tree & I am distressed about its loss. To me, it was no ordinary street tree.
Marrickville LGA has some gorgeous trees, mostly in parks, though there are also good ones that are street trees. However, we have thousands of butchered, stumpy & not good-looking street trees all over the LGA & it is noticeable if you look.
I think many of us have become desensitised to the ugliness of our street trees because their disintegration happens over time & we just get used to seeing them in this poor condition. Leave the LGA & you immediately notice the differences.
This magnificent street tree is gone
The Lemon Scented Gum in Cambridge Street Stanmore was one of the better-looking street trees in the whole LGA & this is not an exaggeration. Do I think this because I like Gums? Yes & no. I do like Gum trees, but I also like most other trees. I am an all-round tree lover though I admit to preferring tall stature trees & especially trees which flower & provide food for insects, birds & animals.
I think it is necessary in an urban environment to think about wildlife when choosing trees to plant. I also think we have a duty to provide food for these creatures who are losing more & more food resources every year. If you don’t believe me, put out a birdbath in a safe place in your garden & watch how long it takes for birds to arrive. They are short of water as well. When we built a fishpond, the rare frogs of the area arrived within 2 days & there wasn’t other ponds around. Where did they come from, we wondered. If you plant flowering trees & shrubs that feed birds, they will come in droves & the air will be filled with birdcalls.
So for a tree of this magnitude to be cut down seems ridiculous to me. The tree provided refuge for both wildlife & humans because it was a flowering native tree & its canopy significantly cooled the air in the street. This is not a feeling I am used to when I walk the streets of my local area. Mostly I cannot walk during the day because the streets are so hot with the heat reflected by the road & concrete. I believe that as temperatures rise due to global warming, the heat island effect is going to get worse & we are going to bake. City of Sydney Council recognises this & intends to plant 10,000 more trees in the CBD this year to counteract the heat.
I am aware the residents who wanted the tree removed said it was causing cracking to their house & Council felt hamstrung because of the potential of litigation. However, because we do not have a Significant Tree Register, our public trees are vulnerable. Cracking to houses can always be repaired & it is something we should expect when we live in 100 year old houses, which are built on clay soils & with poor quality mortar. In fact, even renovated houses in the Inner West need regular work as they are always deteriorating. It comes with the territory. That’s why many people prefer to live in modern units or project homes that are built on cement slabs. As a norm, tree roots are not strong enough to lift a concrete slab.
Ordinary street in Chatswood with multiple large street trees- a very different outlook to our LGA
When we respect trees & fully appreciate their positive impact on our lives & vital role in our civilization’s existence, if atmospheric levels of CO2 continue to rise as expected, then we will do everything we can to keep our mature trees that sequester large amounts of CO2.
The removal of this tree affects the whole community, not just the residents of Cambridge Street. First is it one tree, then another tree & so on. Before we know it, the whole streetscape is changed & not for the better. It took 40 years for that tree to grow a 2.5 metre girth & it had at least another 60 years of life left in it. Eucalypts often live 100 years or more. All it took was 4 ½ hours for it to be gone.
The Marrickville Greens tried to get a stay of execution to try other methods to repair the cracking & fix the problem at ground level. The Labor & Independent Councillors had to power to grant this so that amelioration could be tried to give the tree a chance to be saved. I would have conceded defeat if all avenues had been tried & agreed the tree needed be removed, but these avenues weren’t given a chance. I am sure the Greens feel the same as I do. This tree was also worth a lot of money to the community & especially to Cambridge Street. Better to sell a house before a tree is cut down than after.
Our tree assets get voted out because of concrete, their particular species, because they are old, because, because, because. I have not yet seen tree saving strategies voted in during council meetings, only the opposite. Trees are seen as a nuisance & a liability. The reality is: not having trees is a liability.
I will work with Labor & the Independents as well as the Greens if they are pro-trees & the greening of Marrickville LGA. However, since I have started, I have noticed that support for my vision comes from the Greens & not from Labor or the Independents. To be fair, Labor did reverse their decision over the Mackey Park Figs, but not until after a community protest of 300 people & an even larger petition.
Once again, regarding the Cambridge Street tree, the Greens voted to keep the tree. Once again, the vote to remove the tree comes from the other counsellors. Is it a pattern? Saving Our Trees hasn’t been alive long enough to be able to answer this question.
Frankly I was shocked when I read on the Greens website that: Independent Councillor Dimitrios Thanos recently emailed Councillors & staff saying: “I’ll grab my chainsaw & meet the staff down there on the appointed day.” I just know he & I are not on the same page when it comes to trees.
Getting back to my intro, I didn’t want to go & watch the ‘Elle McPherson of trees’ be chopped down, but the Marrickville Greens did witness this. You can read their posts about this tree -http://marrickvillegreens.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/risk-averse-council-condemns-stanmore’s-biggest-eucalypt-to-the-chainsaw/ & you can also view 2 photos taken today by the Greens at – http://yfrog.com/37y6 & http://yfrog.com/1ehcezj &
http://marrickvillegreens.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/stanmores-largest-gum-tree-turned-into-woodchip/
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