The Tintaldra community has been given a commitment of a replacement memorial to World War I diggers as the fight goes on to retain the existing avenue of honour of trees damaged by recent bushfires. Work has been halted on the removal of the cedar trees, but two independent arborists have concluded the remaining trees suffered up to 90 per cent fire damage and have unstable root structures. The traffic lane nearest to the trees has been closed by Regional Roads Victoria amid concerns about limb falls. It's understood the remaining trees were due to be removed on Tuesday, but works remain on hold. "We're continuing to work closely with the community, RSL and Towong Shire regarding next steps for these severely fire-damaged trees in Tintaldra," North-Eastern regional director Steve Bowmaker said. "We understand the importance of these trees to the community and that's why we'll ensure a memorial to those who served in World War I is replanted in Tintaldra following recent devastating bushfires. "Wood from these historic fire-damaged trees will be made available to the community to be re-purposed into a fitting tribute." Upper Murray-based tree specialist Tom Newton said the trees were showing signs of life, but acknowledged public safety concerns. "They are starting to re-shoot, but the arborist is saying that would be coming from the sap already inside them," he said. "If they were mine I would give them a bit of a trim and hang onto them. "But they aren't mine and you've always got to think safety first for the people using the road."
Tree specialist Tom Nugent hopes the tribute trees can survive. Picture: MARK JESSER
The Tintaldra community has been given a commitment of a replacement memorial to World War I diggers as the fight goes on to retain the existing avenue of honour of trees damaged by recent bushfires.
The traffic lane nearest to the trees has been closed by Regional Roads Victoria amid concerns about limb falls.
It's understood the remaining trees were due to be removed on Tuesday, but works remain on hold.
"We're continuing to work closely with the community, RSL and Towong Shire regarding next steps for these severely fire-damaged trees in Tintaldra," North-Eastern regional director Steve Bowmaker said.
"We understand the importance of these trees to the community and that's why we'll ensure a memorial to those who served in World War I is replanted in Tintaldra following recent devastating bushfires.
"Wood from these historic fire-damaged trees will be made available to the community to be re-purposed into a fitting tribute."
Upper Murray-based tree specialist Tom Newton said the trees were showing signs of life, but acknowledged public safety concerns.
"They are starting to re-shoot, but the arborist is saying that would be coming from the sap already inside them," he said.
"If they were mine I would give them a bit of a trim and hang onto them.
"But they aren't mine and you've always got to think safety first for the people using the road."
