Shire of Harvey to remove three London plane trees from Uduc Road median strip due to infrastructure damage

Some of the trees lining Harvey’s main street will be cut down due to damage they are causing to the road. Shire of Harvey councillors voted at their meeting on October 25 to approve the removal of the three biggest London plane trees along Uduc Road, between Hayward and Young streets. In his report to councillors, infrastructure services director Rick Lotznicker said the three trees were causing damage to road infrastructure while several of the other 16 trees were slightly lifting the road surface due to root movement. “Plane trees have the potential to grow to up to 30m at maturity in ideal conditions which will provide challenges that will need to be addressed to minimise potential future damage to public and private infrastructure as well as managing the ongoing repair or replacement of infrastructure into the future,” he said. Advice received by the council from an arborist concluded cutting the trees’ roots and installing a root barrier around them was not viable as it could cause the trees to become unstable and their health to decline rapidly. The problem trees are now set to be removed and replaced by other options by July next year, with root barriers to be installed to stop the problem reoccuring. Repairs to the road will be made once the trees have been removed. It is estimated the work could cost the council between $6500 and $7500. The council also voted to consult with the community about the future of the remaining trees before action is taken. The trees have been a part of the Uduc Road townscape for more than two decades, first being planted in 1997.