Heritage trees along Rusden Street, between Dangar and Faulkner Streets will be removed due to declining health and uplifting roots creating safety and accessibility issues for pedestrians.
The mix of Liquidambar trees and Claret Ash trees along Rusden Street were believed to be planted in the 1980s following the construction of the new council building. Several Claret Ash trees were replaced with Trident Maples in 2013 due to severe trip hazards and damage to adjacent buildings.
Given the heritage listing of the trees and high public profile, a level 5 arborist was engaged to provide and independent report and recommendations. Of the 27 trees inspected, 15 trees have been recommended to be retained and nine trees recommended for removal. The report confirms that the Claret ash trees with fungal disease will continue to decline and seven will be removed. Two Liquidambar trees will also be removed. Six of the 27 trees are proposed to be root pruned or require selected branches or dead wood to be removed.
Armidale Mayor Sam Coupland said this year in particular had been a busy period for the parks team as they catch-up on managing and maintaining the city’s extensive urban forest after drought and a tornado has impacted the streetscape.
“When you are as lucky as we are to have extensive street tree plantings sometimes an unfortunate outcome of this is the removal of sick trees and trees that create pedestrian hazards,” said Mayor Coupland
“This is a necessary and important step in the long term sustainable management of an urban forest like ours. But rest assured, as trees are removed there is always a plan to replace them.”
The removal of the trees along Rusden Street will coincide with kerb and gutter renewal works scheduled for mid-June on the southern side of Rusden Street adjacent to the Anglican Church precinct. Weather permitting. During the kerb and gutter works further root pruning will be undertaken in an attempt to eliminate the current trip hazards. If the pruning required compromises the stability of the tree or the footpath design cannot be accommodated then the preferred option will be to remove the tree and replace.
Replanting of the trees will be programed following the construction works as plant stock becomes available. To protect the trees, they will initially be protected by tree guards which will be in place until they are suitably established. Establishment may take several years.
Published on 19 May 2022