Share your views on trees in Canberra - Monday 15 Feb 2010

Stonedwookie, only a few years ago a boy at (I think) Brindabella Christian School died after a eucalypt branch broke and landed on him. They aren’t called widowmakers for nothing, you know.

I didn’t bother to go – seeing as it was two ACT public servants in the very tree protection department who illegally cut down a massive and valuable tree in their back yard next to mine, sans permission. And didn’t even get rapped over the knuckles despite my formal (ignored) complaint …

Eucalypts are also mono-culture tree – nothing will grow under it, and they are only so prevalent now because of all the burning indigenous Australians did (see Back from the Brink by Peter Andrews – also featured on ABC’s Australian Story). AND they are a massive fire hazard. They should NOT be planted in Canberra.

Growing deciduous trees and exotic or native shrubs is a far better strategy in this city, as they in turn set up a proper micro-climate that moderates temperature – something Canberra (being a city subject to such temperature extremes) could certainly do with.

whens the last time you’ve heard of someone dying from a tree branch falling on them in canberra? leave the tree’s alone dont forget they let you breath

It is hard to think of how i feel aboout trees – I mean trees just ‘are’.

I would be very sad to lose our Canberra street trees, and I think the govt’s ‘urban renewal’ program is tragic, misguided and destructive. where is the ‘renewal’ in cutting down perfectly good mature shade trees, and replacing them much later on with twiggy saplings which dies from lack of care almost straight away.

In European cities -and even Victoria – there are trees of 100 years old in cities. Why should Canberra trees get such a limited lifespan?

It sounds so sappy to go on about loving trees = but really – our streets would be so depressing without them. Also lawns survive much better/longer with a bit of shade around.

Buzz2600

Not only are they messy but dangerous, eg: falling on houses, cars and people! And for the record I do like trees, I know Canberra is the BUSH Capital, but we are also a growing City!

Gungahlin Al said :

As I mentioned in another post, as a community rep on the Commissioner’s reference panel, I welcome comments/feedback on urban tree concerns. Here or to me at president at GCC.asn.au.

I didn’t think the G had any trees..

I think all the trees should be replaced with ents.

Trees are awesome, they have lots of roots!

I vote we remove all trees as they present a danger to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. We could seel the timber to a woodchip manufacturer and use the proceeds to purchase more public artworks.