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Maturing elms to get new lease of lifeThirty-four Elm trees planted fifteen years ago between Breed Street and Loch Park Road in Traralgon have been assured longevity, following a decision by Council to remove encroaching species over a three year period. By Latrobe City Council - 22nd August 2003 - Back to News The Elms were planted fifteen 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.
Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Graeme Middlemiss, explained that 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 as possible until the Elms matured sufficiently.
"This ensured that the existing leafy streetscape in Kay Street was not interrupted. However, the Elms have now grown sufficiently to be attractive in their own right, and it’s reached the stage where the other species planted nearby are impeding the future growth of the Elms," Cr Middlemiss explained.
Councillor Peter Tyler, praised the foresight of Traralgon Councillors who had initiated the planting. "Fifteen years ago a decision was made to extend the avenue of Elms from Franklin Street through to Loch Park Road. It will take another thirty years before the section between Breed Street and Loch Park Road matures to the stage where they are comparable with those between Franklin Street and Breed Street; but just as the local government of the day thought far into the future, we must now play our part," Cr Tyler said.
Latrobe City’s Parks Officer, John Ruyg said the Elms Ulmus Procera would remain stunted unless allowed to access the light and moisture now taken up by adjacent species. "Twenty-five trees will be removed over three years, with the third of the trees most affecting nearby Elms, removed the first year," Mr Ruyg explained.
"Winter is the best time to remove these trees as Spring provides an enormous boost to tree growth, and the Elms will receive maximum benefit," Mr Ruyg said.
Mr Ruyg said the trees being removed were of various species including Pin Oaks, Liquidamber, Eucalyptus and Cypress.
Councillor Sheridan Bond said that Traralgon was fortunate to have a broad avenue such as Kay Street. "Latter day residents may not know that at one stage Kay Street was identified as the future traffic corridor through Traralgon, and as a consequence, town planners kept the streetscape deliberately wide to accommodate this. As the years passed, other options came into being for future traffic arrangements and we are left with this lovely wide avenue, that’s a feature of the town," Cr Bond explained.
"Nobody likes to see trees removed, but in this case it’s necessary to ensure the long term survival of specimens that will in turn add to the attractiveness of Traralgon’s renowned leafy streetscapes," Cr Bond added.
An information session for Kay Street residents living between Breed Street and Loch Park Road, will take place in the Traralgon Council Chambers 5.30pm – 6.30pm, Thursday 28 August. Further information is available from Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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