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Spring’s early signs point to healthier elm canopy

Early Spring signs of a more luxuriant and healthier foliage for the avenue of elms between Breed Street and Loch Park Road in Traralgon, have been welcomed by Latrobe City.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 22nd September 2004 - Back to News

The healthier seasonal start follows the removal of a number of encroaching species between the elms during the past two Winter seasons.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said Council had decided last year to remove encroaching species between the elms over a three year period, with the trees most affecting nearby elms, now removed.

"As Spring emerges and the new seasonal canopy is revealed, we are seeing the positive results of that decision," Cr White said.

Latrobe City’s Parks Officer, John Ruyg, said the elms were planted sixteen years ago by the former City of Traralgon to create an extension to Traralgon’s renowned avenue of elms in Kay Street between Franklin Street and Breed Street.

"When the elm trees between Breed Street and Loch Park Road were planted, it was decided to temporally retain as many of the existing trees including Pin Oaks, Liquidamber, Eucalyptus and Cypress until the elms matured sufficiently. This ensured that the existing leafy streetscape in Kay Street was not interrupted.

"In the last few years however, it became quite apparent that the elms had grown sufficiently to be attractive in their own right, and their ongoing growth and health was being impeded by the species existing between, which needed to be removed," Mr Ruyg explained.

Latrobe City's Arborist in charge, Chris Dash, said that the health of the elms in Kay Street was currently being augmented by soil injection with Confidor, a major weapon in the war against the Elm Leaf Beetle.

"While removal of the encroaching species has provided the elms with the additional light and moisture they need to proliferate, all the benefits of this work can easily be destroyed by the notorious Elm Leaf Beetle, unless preventative measures are taken," Mr Dash explained.

"An insecticide called Confidor is currently being injected around the root zones of a number of elms in streets and parks throughout the municipality. The trees take up the treatment through their root systems and it is translocated to their foliage. This method controls the beetles at the larvae stage before the visual damage has occurred," Mr Dash said.

"While the treatment requires specialised equipment used by contractors, which is beyond the scope of the home gardener, soil injection is proving a highly effective method for Council in treating trees. Inspection of the elm canopy of treated elms will reveal virtually no Elm Leaf Beetle damage.

"The optimum time for applying Confidor is September to November and later treatments are effective provided there is no moisture limitation in the soil. Because of the nature of soil injection control methods, residents are advised that they need to contact a qualified company to provide them with a quote to carry out this service," Mr Dash said.

Councillor Peter Tyler said Latrobe was very fortunate to have a broad avenue of elms such as that in Kay Street, Traralgon. "The strong development of the elm trees between Breed Street and Loch Park Road will positively add to that renowned streetscape and to the town’s overall attractiveness," Cr Tyler said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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