Tree news – local

1.  Professor Nigel Tapper of Monash University, a speaker addressing the National Tree Symposium at Adelaide University of Adelaide said urban trees actually save lives during heatwaves. Treenet Director David Lawry spoke about stormwater being diverted from the gutter to street trees. A test is being done in Unley Adelaide to measure its affectiveness. …the devices could deliver up to 400 litres of water directly to trees during moderate rain, resulting in healthier trees, more comfortable urban environments & less stormwater getting to waterways & the sea. To me it makes absolute sense to channel rainwater from the gutter into the area around the street tree. To achieve this is quite simple & only requires a remodeling of the kerb.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/03/3001619.htm

The National Tree Symposium also discovered that proposed changes by the South Australian government to significant tree regulations will leave a large amount of existing trees unprotected by the equivalent of a Significant Tree Register. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/fears-of-an-open-season-on-adelaides-bigger-trees/story-e6frea6u-1225914516653

2.  Darwin has a tree emergency on its hands with between 60-70 large Weeping Rosewood trees showing symptoms of fusarium wilt (a fungal disease not indigenous to Australia), which spreads by spores in the soil.  If this is the case, Darwin could lose thousands of trees within the coming decade. http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/09/04/176981_ntnews.html

3.  The ACT’s Council, the Department of Territory & Municipal Services has been ordered to improve upon their policy & procedures of public tree removal by becoming more transparent & accountable to the community. 20 – 40% of the ACTs 630,000 park & street trees are expected to be axed within the next 20 years.  I’d be very busy if I lived there. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/tree-change-residents-to-get-appeal-rights/1932556.aspx

Heading down to the Cooks River