Council Apologises for “Pruning” Trees

FOLLOWING community outcry about trees being cut down in Main Street and removed in Kingdon Street the Council has issued an apology for not consulting with the community, on their Facebook page: Upper Hunter Shire Council 

Editor’s Note: The picture on Council’s Facebook page brought an ironic smile to our faces – see below.

Trees described as “pruned” by Council on Main Street, Scone.

In the statement Council explained that last week three trees had been “pruned” on Main Street because they were “believed to be impacting on the health of the Lone Pine tree” and so the “trees were cut right back.”

The reason for the removal of trees in Kingdon Street is somewhat confusing as the statement seems to read that the tree roots damaged the gutter, but in the next sentence states it was because the tree roots were damaged during construction of the guttering:

“This week, six trees were removed from Kingdon Street, Scone during construction works to replace kerb and guttering, which had been damaged by the tree roots. These trees and the remaining two trees in Kingdon Street need to be removed as their root structure has been damaged during the construction work.”

There are two remaining trees in Kingdon Street which will be removed next week and Council has said they will investigate replacement “planting” for the “small space available next to the gutter.”

Further, Council has advised a draft town and village tree management policy, recommended by the Council’s Sustainability Committee will go to this month’s Council meeting and will then be placed on public display for feedback.

Read Council’s full statement: Better Policies and Procedures for Tree Management.

Related story: Nature Strips Stripped of Nature.

Council’s current Facebook profile picture: Perhaps Costa can help with some pruning tips next time?