Tree removal on Bridge underway

Removal of some of the trees on Bridge Street is now underway as part of the Bridge to Better project.

Twenty exotic trees will be removed as part of the project, and replaced with 120 native plants, including 70 new trees, some of which will be 2.5m tall when planted. Most of the trees being removed are directly in the way of or will be impacted by the new underground pipes and service connections to be installed as part of the planned infrastructure upgrade. Ten of the trees have also been identified as being in poor health.

Executive Director Delivery Alec Louverdis says the water, wastewater, stormwater, power and telecommunications under the street sit within a very constrained corridor.

“Unfortunately, tree roots cannot simply be trimmed back without compromising stability and tree health. The existing large, exotic trees were planted without modern root systems, and there is no longer sufficient room for them to coexist.”

Eighteen of the trees – a mix of oriental plane trees, fastigate tulip trees and pin oaks – are being removed from Bridge Street, and two from Haven Road. Three trees have already been removed from Wakatu Lane and Haven Road, bringing the total to 23 removals of the 37 trees across the project area.

Twelve exotic trees will be retained at the Bridge and Trafalgar Street intersection and two toward Montgomery Square. These trees range from 12-33 years old.

The replacement trees will be installed using root management systems that will help direct growth deeper into the ground before spreading.

Keep an eye out for the next edition of Our Nelson, where we will explore the planting plans in detail.