THREATS TO THE INDIGENOUS TREES

During the course of the survey it was apparent that significant numbers of the indigenous native trees are being removed or heavily lopped.

It was not known to the author whether permission for this work had been obtained from Council in terms of its Tree Preservation Order.

Similarly, the terms on which permission for such removal or heavy lopping would be granted under the Order were not known.

However, it is clear that at the present rate of removal and severe lopping, a large proportion of the surveyed trees will be permanently disfigured or destroyed in the coming years.

Clearly, where trees are unsound or in the direct siting of a proposed construction then removal or lopping may be unavoidable. However, with the instances sighted during the survey, the treated trees did not appear to meet these requirements.

In view of Council's well publicised removal of over a thousand street trees, there may well be an expectation on the part of the public that either the Tree Preservation Order has fallen into disuse or permission will be readily granted.

Heavy lopping of mature trees is generally accepted by arboriculturalists as a very unsuitable practice which not only permanently disfigures a tree but, in the case of mature trees with lessened regenerative capacity may lead to the tree's early demise.

Examples of the subsequent death of trees previously heavy lopped are clearly evident throughout the Study Area.

Additionally, in maintaining electricity wires, a number of the rarer trees have been severely lopped. In the case of such rarer tree species, alternative wire protection approaches should be utilised as in other municipal areas. particularly in the northern suburbs of Sydney.

The author would be pleased to discuss with Council's Officers the present status of the Tree Preservation Order and various means for protecting the indigenous trees in the Study Area.