Two diseased oak trees on Walnut Avenue, one outside Ashburton College, will be removed during the September school holidays.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said Council staff had noticed the trees declining over recent years and consultant arborists had inspected them and confirmed they should be removed.

“We don’t like removing mature trees, but in this case environmental factors have been a big stressor. Both trees are by driveways, where vehicles driving in and out of properties have caused decay in the root zone, plus more housing in the area means more trenching for water and wastewater connections. Decay has also been noted in the tree trunks, along with major dead wood and dieback.

“We looked at the cost of remedial works in the hope the trees could recover but the experts say that’s not viable, so we’ll remove them and replant a little further away from the driveways.”

Staff have been noting the decline since early 2023.

Mr McCann said the other tree was further east on Walnut Avenue, and Council staff had spoken to the property owners directly affected.

“We know the trees along Walnut Avenue are valued and appreciated by the entire community and visitors, and Council is committed to retaining what is an historic amenity for future generations. But sadly, these oaks are terminally ill and we don’t want them falling down on their own.”

The removal work is planned for 29 September to 1 October, and new trees of the same variety, Quercus rubra, will be planted in their place.

Traffic management will be in place while the work is under way, and property owners all along Walnut Avenue have been alerted.

Arborists will also be undertaking pruning and maintenance on protected trees outside Balmoral Hall on September 15 and 16.

Branches over the roads are being lifted and deadwood removed, and a red oak is having weight reduced on a limb over Cass Street.