Just prior to Christmas our Operations Manager Trevor Stein notified Elected Members and Executive about the deterioration of a pre-European River Red Gum (possibly 3-400 years old) in Northgate Street near Victoria Avenue. Grave fears were held for this tree.
Council in association with Marcus Lodge and his arboricultural company undertook some reasonably drastic action prior to Christmas in an attempt to save the tree. Actions included:
- Removal of the paved footpath near the tree.
- A series of sucrose injections around the base of the tree combined with soil amelioration.
- Regular watering by Council’s watertruck.
Trevor’s current advice today is that the short term effects of this treatment has been positive. There has been a good response to the treatments and the tree is showing early signs that it may recover.