PUBLIC sentiment forced a rethink on the fate of two large trees in Fitzroy St, as Tamworth Regional Council proceeds with its upgrade of the footpath and kerbside.
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A 40-year-old tree outside the offices of RJ O’Halloran and Co was taken out on Sunday after excavation works associated with the upgrade damaged its roots so badly, an arborist declared it was dying and needed to go.
Since then, concerns have been expressed to The Leader about another tree, across the road outside the post office, with a large “X” on its trunk.
Tamworth Regional Council manager roads infrastructure Murray Russell confirmed council had got reports on both trees prior to the upgrade work starting, and had at one point looked at removing them.
But, given community reaction, the council had now “changed tack” and he confirmed every effort would be made to ensure the post office tree survives the upgrade process.
Mr Russell emphasised they had also done everything possible to protect the tree outside O’Hallorans, but that the initial report had suggested it was more vulnerable during the excavation process because it was closer to the kerbside and its roots closer to the surface.
It may already be too late for the post office tree though, Mr Russell saying the consulting arborist reported it was already diseased and may die anyway “in the not-too-distant future”, forcing its removal at some point.
“In the meantime though we’ll be doing the best we can to minimise any damage (during the improvement works),” Mr Russell said.
Patrick O’Halloran, who contacted The Leader on Friday about the tree outside his office, said this week he had fielded almost 40 phone calls from people disappointed over its loss.
Mr Russell said the Fitzroy improvement works, which include paving all the way up to the laneway and replacing kerb and guttering, were necessary to address drainage issues and the danger of trip hazards, some of which were associated with the tree roots.
There were plans to replace the tree that had been taken out once the construction was complete, he said, but measures would be put in place to minimise future damage from the new tree’s roots.
Work is expected to be finished in the next few weeks, while the upgrade on the post office side will proceed later in the year.