Decades-old Albury tree facing axe, despite protest from city councillor

The tree in Guinea Street, between Kiewa Street and the Star Hotel, was poisoned maliciously last February.

The council’s acting director of engineering Greg Whorlow said specialists had now decided the tree should be removed.

“We have monitored the health of the tree since (February) and made another assessment of the tree (on Wednesday), and according to our arborists the likelihood of the tree surviving is low to zero,” Mr Whorlow said.

The tree is scheduled to be removed next Wednesday.

However, councillor Murray King, who lives near the tree, wants a “stay of execution” because the plane species has sprouted regrowth in the past six weeks.

“From my point of view I certainly am no expert, least of all being an arborist, but I can see some flicker of light, like Tom Hanks in Cast Away when the container ship goes past,” Cr King said.

“If they give it another couple of months then we’ll know.

“If we can give it one last breath, something miraculous might happen.

“With low to zero there is still a hope it might spring back.”

The regrowth offered false hope, according to Mr Whorlow. 

“This regrowth will not be sufficient to sustain the tree and large sections of the canopy’s cambium layer (vascular system) will die,” Mr Whorlow said.

“The resulting isolated clumps of foliage may linger for some time however the tree will have little chance of generating enough foliage to provide any amenity value and will contribute very little to the streetscape.

“The tree will also become vulnerable to pests and diseases due to the severely depleted vigour which will further impact its ability to survive.”

Cr King also raised the expense of removing the tree as a reason to delay destroying it.

“Cost wise I’m thinking it’s a $25,000 to $30,000 re-establishment cost,” he said based on the tree’s roots being ripped up. Asked if he believed he would have greater sway on the tree’s fate now he was a councillor, Cr King said “probably”.

“Whether I am or not it’s the tree that matters, it’s the tree that’s the focus, it’s not egos or sensitivity,” said Cr King, who was elected in September after having raised concerns about the poisoning in The Border Mail last February.

A culprit for the poisoning has not been found and Cr King hopes publicity will bring more information.

Mr Whorlow stressed the decision to cull the tree was made with a heavy heart.

“We do not take the decision to remove trees lightly,” he said.

“They are only removed when there is considered a high likelihood that the tree will not improve or regenerate, removing and replacing with an advanced specimen will quickly provide more value than retaining the existing tree.”