Line Work

Some of you may have noticed a TreeTech van in the street today. They have been asked to tender a quote for trimming branches around lines, for Orion. Other tree trimmers may also be involved in this tender, so don't be surprised at the activity.

PS: Last weekend I contacted the CCC about the gutters filling up, and they phoned back and indicated that they don't call in the contractors to clear gutters until they are full. Personally I would like this done more frequently, because of the effect on the storm water drainage when it rains. We need a few more phone calls to the CCC!

It's "Fall" again!

Hi everyone. It's that time of year again, when we have to admit that Summer, such as it was, is over. And as well as enjoying the leaves, their look and smell and their scrunchiness underfoot, we also need to think about minimising their nuisance factor. I have discovered some interesting stuff recently ...

1. Clean-up requests
The C.C.C. subcontract out their leaf collection/clean-up, and I have it on good authority that the C.C.C. only request a street cleanup when they receive a request from us, unless the leaves are obviously causing havoc. So please, do ring the Council (C.C.C. Action Line 941-8666) when you feel you or your neighbours are getting annoyed by blocked gutters etc.

2. The sack experiment
After discussions with several of you, I am testing a large burlap sack as a temporary container for leaves. This was accidentally removed by the clean-up contractors last week, but was returned after a quick phone call! I have now asked the contractor to just empty the sack, and leave it on the street rather than take it away.

The idea is to place leaves in the sack until contractors have a chance to clean the street and empty the sack. On windy days leaves will be kept out of the gutters and off property frontages, and the sack material is heavy enough that the top can be folded shut and leaves kept in their place.

There are a couple of hooks to this. Firstly, these recycled sacks are not cheap at about $20. Secondly, because the sack is left out on the street, there is a risk that someone will nick it! I suggest that if you wish to trial this, that you label the sack with your address using an indelible marker.

However, I am keen to see if this can work. If anyone else wishes to try this too, sacks can be obtained at Athol McCully's Garden Centre in Wairakei Road.

3. On the political front
I expect this Autumn to be a relatively quiet one politically speaking. The C.C.C. seems to have put street plans on hold, apparently for budgetary reasons, so most activity should be related to helping each other out with keeping the leaves under control, ringing the Council whenever necessary. And I am pleased to see that the Council is doing some appropriate tree trimming along the avenue.

None-the-less, I am keeping my red ribbon up, and if anyone hears of any issues in this regard, let me know.

4. Email list
Lastly, I am reusing my email list from last year. If you no longer wish to be on this list let me know. Alternatively, there may be folk who wish to be included on this list, to be alerted of any additions to this blog, and they should contact me by email (mhurrell@xtra.co.nz).

Time to put this one to bed...

Dear All

You will have received Brian Boddy's note in the mail (reproduced below). It remains unclear when this issue will be revived again, but doubtless it will. In the meantime, keep your collective ears to the ground, and keep the ribbons up.

I guess this gives us a breather to help convince the swinging voters about the value of the trees. No doubt we shall all need to help out with leaf raking when Autumn comes around again!

Cheers,
Mike
==========================

Changes to the Christchurch City Council

kerb and channel renewal programme for

St James Avenue

(From Dalriada Street to Harewood Road)

Dear Resident/Property Owner,

You may have read in the paper recently about changes to the Council's capital programme for street, kerb and channel renewal. These changes mean that work that was previously programmed, for St James Avenue (from Dalriada to Harewood) has been deferred.

At present there is no set date for this work to be started. The reason for the change is explained briefly below.

In the past the Council has had a policy of replacing the older-style deep channel when, in some cases, it is still in reasonable order and doing its job.

A significant portion of the funding for street renewal is provided on a national basis by Land Transport NZ (LTNZ). LTNZ recently reviewed 43 current Christchurch projects and told the Council that the programme of work the Council submitted for 2006/07 (the year starting 1 July), in particular the kerb and channel renewal programme, did not comply with national funding guidelines.

LTNZ asked the Council for a revised programme that maintains the total network, focuses on traffic carrying routes, has a mix of older dish and newer flat channel renewal and reduces the cost per metre of channel renewal projects.

Therefore only 25 of the projects planned for 2006/07 will now go ahead. Twelve meet LTNZ funding criteria, while 13 are committed and will proceed without LTNZ funding. The reduction results in $5.1m reduction in spending in the 2006/07 financial year.

The remaining 18 projects will be re-programmed to future years. Unfortunately St James Avenue is among these. If you responded to our earlier request for feedback about the initial plans for this work, thank you for your comments. All feedback (including that on the future of the scarlet oak street trees), has been processed and will be kept for reference when the project is re-opened. You will be consulted on the project in the future.

We apologise for the change and hope this does not cause too much disappointment.

Yours faithfully

(signed)

Brian Boddy

PROJECT CONSULTATION LEADER

TRANSPORT AND GREENSPACE UNIT

CITY ENVIRONMENT

Papanui trees left unsafe after roading work

A group of 60‑year‑old trees planted to commemorate those who died in World War 1 are to be felled after they were damaged during road works.

Some residents of Perry Street, Papanui, have dubbed it a "massacre" after learning 10 Ginkgo biloba trees will be cut down because damage to their roots mean they are at risk of falling.

There is also a risk to the safety of properties and power cables.

The trees were originally planted as part of the Papanui Memorial Avenue to the fallen of 1939 to 1945. They were damaged during work to renew the kerb and gutter done during the last three months.

In a letter to residents, Christchurch City Council arborist Graham Clark and transport and greenspace manager Michael Aitken said the council was "saddened by this outcome and was unaware the work would have such a major effect on the trees".

Ten trees have been earmarked for urgent removal and another 16 will be monitored and may be removed later.

Resident Kate Douglas said she was saddened by the loss of the trees she loved so much.

"I loved the trees and I think it is a great shame. I would be willing to sign something to say I would not blame the council if anything happened if it meant I could keep the tree but I guess they cannot do that. I hope it does not affect the area too much," she said.

Shirley/Papanui community board chairwoman Yvonne Palmer said residents were saddened but willing to accept the council's decision. "We went out last night and spoke to most of the residents. A few are very angry but most realise there is very little that can be done and are glad we are willing to work with them to try and solve the problem," she said.

"It is a shame that this has happened but hopefully lessons will be learnt and the same mistakes will not be made again."

Palmer said the community board was asking residents to write to the council with their views so the matter was kept on record.

The city council has promised to replace the trees.

The Press, July 13 2006

Campaign status?

During an enthusiastic "I have some exciting news for you" phone call from Yvonne Palmer on Tuesday night she suggested that the oaks are off the CCC agenda for about 5 years due a shortfall in roading funding. However, her response to a followup email a day later was less than exciting:

In speaking with staff today they have said that there is no decision on when St James will happen so it could be between one year and five. However I think that if the consultation is such then we leave it till as long as we can.

I cant tell you what the costings were or the alternatives but once I know that there is a report coming back to the board I will get in touch with you.


So it seems that she has become a bit more circumspect. I guess we need to wait and see what information percolates through from Brian Boddy, Project Manager, before drawing too many conclusions. I might have to vent some frustration and go sweep up a few leaves ...

Another tree scientist supports us!

Betty Brice kindly forwarded this email to me (with the author's permission). David is a tree Scientist with Landcare, and his response further reinforces our position that the trees should stay.

11 June 2006

Betty,

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow but I thought I'd reply to your questions about the trees in your street.

Oak trees are extremely long-lived and can survive up to several hundred years. They are one of the longest lived hardwood species with strong, resistant heartwood. This means that the stems are likely to stay hard and strong and unlikely to suffer form rot in the centre of big stems. So, suggesting that the trees are 'over mature' or dangerous because they 'might collapse' is likely to be wrong. This could easily be tested by taking a small 'core' of wood from the outside to the centre of the trees using a special tool known as an 'increment corer', then examining the wood. This same process can be used to age trees, by counting the annual rings. Oak has a clear definition of seasonal growth and rings can be counted easily.

So, assuming that the trees in your street are healthy and only yet in 'mid life', to prevent them being cut down, you'd have to organise the street to protest to the Council. However, this may be difficult. I know that there was a huge outcry about the trees in Fendalton Road being cut down for road widening, but the trees lost out in the end. Similarly, I was very surprised when the trees in Hamilton Avenue were cut down, but I don't know how strong the protest was from the residents.

The Council will likely argue that the needs need to go so that the road can be improved. I guess this is a fair argument, but very disappointing if they have to go. While they will likely be replaced, the character of the street will not be restored for 30 to 40 years when the new trees will have grown large enough.

I hope you and your neighbours can make a strong case to the Council to reconsider its decision, because I agree that it will be a great pity to see the trees go,

David

Nor'West News article hits the streets

As most of you will know, Nicola McDougall's article on the St James Ave oaks appeared in our mailboxes Thursday - at least, it did for those of us without NO JUNK MAIL signs! It gave us quite a few "column-inches" of press coverage reflecting the importance of this issue to the community, and I thought it was reasonably well balanced and covered the parries and thrusts of the arguments quite well. Inevitably there are bits that I wish were more strongly put, but overall a good result was achieved.

I have received a few phone calls from folk in the wider community as a result. Susanne of Westholme Street saw the Nor'West News article and she strongly supports our cause. Geoff of Hamilton Ave says that they lost their fight because of the impact of underground wiring installation on tree roots (and of course this is not the case in St James Ave as underground wiring is not an option currently). Michael of Darfield knows St James Ave well and says "it would be a crime if they [the oak trees] came down" and he has demanded that we "fight to the end!"

So as well as making a St James Ave supporters email list, I have created an email list of non-St Ave supporters who will be contacted when wider community consultation is called for, such as the next June/July meeting with the CCC. If you can think of anyone who would like to be on either of these lists, let me know.

Dieter Steinegg's original report

Christchurch City Council

Greenspace Unit

Memorandum

Date: 21.02.2006

From: Dieter Steinegg (Tree Offiicer)

To: Ed Delilla (Project Manager Streets Capital Programme)

Dennis Preston (Design Leader)

Tree Condition Survey St. James Avenue

summary

Over maturity, structural decline, and diseases, makes the replacement of 48 trees in St. James Avenue a high priority. It is of vital importance to initiate a tree replacement programme to prevent the accumulation of declining trees. Proactive management decisions are needed to prevent loss of amenity value and prevent costly and complicated tree replacement in the future.

Introduction:

Following our site meeting on 07.02.2006 in regard to the proposed kerb & channel renewal, I inspected 60 trees in St. James Avenue positioned in the berms between Dalriada Street and Harewood Road or house number 51-138.

The purple plums were planted from 1935 onwards; the mature scarlet oaks were planted in 1945 to commemorate the fallen in World War II 1939-1945. The Avenue is also known as the ‘Papanui Memorial Avenue’.

The collection in this particular section of the avenue is made up of 40 scarlet oaks (Quercus coccinia)11 pin oaks (Quercus palustris) and 9 purple plums (Prunus nigra ‘Pissardii) of various sizes, ages and condition.

Previous maintenance attempts to raise the canopies of the trees in the more mature part of the collection between house number 83-138 to a required 4.5 metres above the carriage way have not been entirely successful. Some branches reach into the carriage way below the required standard and show numerous wounds due to collisions with high canopy vehicles.

Findings: Twenty-eight or 46.66% of all trees appear in ‘Poor’ condition with a sustainable life expectancy of 0-5 years.

Twenty or 33.33 % are classed as in ‘Fair’ condition with a life expectancy of 10-15 years.

Twelve or 20 % of the trees are classed as in ‘Good’ condition with a life expectancy of 20-80 years.

Recommendation: For health and safety reason, it is not advisable to wait for trees in a high target area to die completely before they are replaced. This approach would also lead to loss of design integrity and amenity value over a longer period of time. It is therefore advisable to look at a sustainable life expectancy and the need to provide for the future, and renew an even aged, aging tree population, as experienced in many streets around Christchurch.

The trees in St. James Avenue have been evaluated on an individual basis. In some instances trees classed as in fair condition are located close to trees in poor condition, under such circumstances it is recommended to replace the remainder to prevent malfunction due to sudden exposure like branch failure and other associated problems.

A number of young and semi-mature trees between house number 25 and 78 are in need of urgent attention due branches lower than 2.5 metres above the footpath (eye hazard). There is also evidence at house number 25 that perhaps residents attempted to prune trees away from the carriageway and parking bays.

Due to ‘over-planting’ in some areas it is recommended to reconsider the position of some specimens and transplant trees from house number 29, 39,47, 69, 73a, into more suitable areas.

A regular tree maintenance programme is urgently required to assure the overall safety and success of this unique tree planting of outstanding historical significance.

Conclusion: Trees like all living organisms have a natural finite life expectancy. The situation of removing and replacing over mature and hazardous trees has to be faced frequently. It is therefore important that if any plant collection is to survive, a constant maintenance and replanting process takes place.

A new generation of high quality trees can be trained above and below ground in such a way that traffic safety, power line and boundary issues are kept to a minimum.

The relatively short sustainable life expectancy of 0-15 years in some 82.% of all trees would lean it self to a complete tree replacement programme in the mature part of the collection between house number 83-138 and the replacement of 5 over-mature purple plums located opposite property number 55, 59, 63, 72, and 76.

I hope these findings will help you in your consultation and planning processes

For more information please contact the author of this report at the above extension

Dieter Steinegg

Tree Officer

Comments from Brian Boddy

Dear Mr Hurrell,

Thank you for your request for information. As requested please find attached the arborist's report on the street trees in St James Ave.

The staff attempted at the street meeting to explain the streets trees were not in their prime as hoped by all, but in fact have a limited life expectancy (though I know you disagree by reading the flyer). The Council therefore has the two options you are aware of, complete tree replacement with the kerb and channel renewal, or replace as necessary on an individual basis on safety grounds when the trees are no longer safe. Council staff endeavoured to make it clear that they will be drawing up two options to cover each of these possibilities.

Several residents have come back to me after reading your flyer with the incorrect understanding (which they may have had anyway) that the Council has determined to remove the existing street trees with the old kerb and channel and that they will be trying to stop this happening. While from an engineering point of view it is easier, from a Council Policy and City Plan perspective it will be a lot harder and time consuming (having to go through the resource consent process) to remove the trees.

Hoping the above explanations have clarified the situation. Please let me know if you have any other questions,

Brian Boddy
Project Consultation Leader
Christchurch City Council

Desk 03 941 8013
Mobile 0274 341 346
Fax 03 941 8864
Email brian.boddy@ccc.govt.nz

Dear Mr Boddy...

Dear Mr Boddy

Jacqui mentioned your phone call yesterday. I must say that your idea of narrowing the street has considerable merit, and would solve many of the problems:

1. Gutters

By narrowing the street, the gutters will shift towards the middle of the street, away from the tree roots, minimising root damage during the road reconstruction, and allowing gutter upgrading from the current dish channel to low maintanance flat channel gutters. (see CCC website for photos of channel types)

2,. Traffic

Vehicular speed along the street will be reduced.

2. Parking

I am not sure what you envisage for the berms, but temporary parking for visiting sports teams might be possible if the grassed areas were protected with concrete lattice block or some other reinforced grassed area.

3. Leaf collection

I suspect that there will be more room for leave piles adjacent to the trees making street maintenance easier, and reducing problems such as piles blowing about, cars parking over the top of leaf piles.

Leaf collection is obviously an important issue for the Council. I suspect that alternative leaf collection strategies, such as paper bags (see Naperville and Syraceuse websites) or dedicated autumn leaf wheelie bins available may not be practical because of the sheeer volume of leaves, and presumably the feasibility of this has been looked at. Perhaps a regular autumn leaf collection day early on in the week might encourage residents to regularly pile up leaves in the weekend.

Thankyou for coming up with constructive new ideas. I look forward to seeing your alternative proposal in due course.

Yours sincerely

Michael Hurrell

Update

The weekend is almost upon us, so I thought I would provide a nutshell update on the state of the campaign:
- A reporter from the North West News has interviewed several of us and is busy writing an article as we speak.
- The RSA have been asked if they would like to get involved, and although it is early days the response has been positive.
- An independent arborist has indicated that the trees are not in decline.
- Several CCC councillors (Norm Withers, Graham Condon, Anna Crighton) are aware of this campaign and the depth of feeling.

Keep those ribbons flying!
Mike

Some history

Excerpt from City Beautiful by Thelma Strongman (published 1999, Clerestory Press, Christchurch, page 59) available from Papanui Library and many other branches. In particular note paragraph one (including the * footnote) and the last paragraph. The bottom line is that the trees were planted in 1962 by RSA, CHCH & Papanui Beautifying Associations, with CCC assistance, and are therefore only 44 years old! Expected lifetime at least 100 years.
--------------------------------------------------------
As lovely as a tree

The association also developed new, initiatives. In 1947 Harry Tillman, a member of both the Papanui and Christchurch Beautifying Associations, arranged for service groups, including the Returned Services Association, to establish trees in selected streets* in the Papanui area. This project received considerable assistance from reserves superintendent Maurice Barnett who was knowledgeable about the appropriate species for the Papanui soils. RSA street plaques still record these memorials to those who served in World War II.

Organising tree planting continued to be one of the association's important activities. In addition to suggesting further city sites for trees, the association took pains to prevent the destruction of mature specimens in gardens and streets. In 1950, through registering its concern with the Department of Education and the Canterbury Education Board, the committee managed to stop tree felling in Heaton Street near Heaton Intermediate School. In the same year, when trees were cut down in Crichton Terrace on lower Cashmere hill, the city council was approached and re-planted the area with shrubs.

In 1951 the Beautifying Association again became a financial member of the Summit Road Society, thus renewing the link forged between the two organisations by Harry Ell. Association members tidied the Evans Pass Reserve and planted trees using funds donated by the public-spirited Mrs Crozier. Upon her death in 1955 she bequeathed a further £50 to the Association and donated a cup for shop window displays with a floral theme. Intending to use the legacy to extend the tree planting at Evans Pass, members discovered that city council permission had not received and planted at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery instead, while still monitoring progress at the Evans Pass plantation. The Evans Pass Reserve Committee continued to tend the trees and, when the reserve caught fire in 1976, a number of specimens were saved. Subsequently, the remainder of the reserve was replanted with some trees and shrubs donated by Mr and Mrs L. J. Mitchell.

By 1953 the association's programme of beautifying the entrances to the city saw a plan to plant trees in groups of three, a quarter of a mile apart, for fifteen miles along the main roads. The committee organised the financing of this venture by launching a 'guinea a year' campaign, raising funds for the city council to establish the trees. In July 1954 the scheme was considered a great success and Mayor R. M. Macfarlane participated in the planting of 46 elms along lower Linwood Avenue.

Unfortunately, over the next few years the programme faltered as the council could supply neither the workers nor the materials. The association therefore placed the donations in a council trust fund until the council was ready to resume the work. By 1960, frustrated by the delay, the association suggested that the money be used for planting in streets between the Linwood Crematorium and the Ruru Lawn Cemetery. In 1962 the committee's patience ran out and the city council was asked to either plant the trees or refund the money to contributors. In the meantime, association members had continued to establish trees in the Linwood Avenue extension.

*Alpha Avenue, Claremont Avenue, Condell Avenue, Dormer Street, Gambia Street, Halton Street, Kenwyn Avenue, Lansbury Avenue, Norfolk Street, Perry Street, Scotston Avenue, Tomes Road, Windermere Road. Street plaques from Tillman, St James and Hartley Avenues are presently in storage at the Papanui RSA, awaiting re-instalment.

Red Ribbons bite the dust

Well, there's none so strange as folks, they say, and St James Ave is no exception. A well-attached ribbon was removed from outside the front of my place in broad daylight, sometime between 3.30 and 4.30pm. Shameless! Anyway, best to keep one's cool and count to ten, then just put up another. Of course it may have been some school kid up to mischief, no politics intended.

By the way, The Warehouse sell 4 metre ribbon rolls for $2.92 each, which is cheaper than some other shops. However, if you find a better price, email me or post on this blog directly (if you have joined up). I have some spare rolls of ribbon, so let me know if you're desperate.

P.S.: More of you have joined the emailing list, even if you don't intend joining this blog site. Thanks very much for your support. It is appreciated.

Winning them over - the Charge of the Leaf Brigade

It is clear that a few of our neighbours find it hard to be enthusiastic for the trees because they have difficulty with leaves, especially the old folks. Perhaps we should form a Leaf Group that could be contacted by those in need to come round and do some sweeping/raking, and at the same time we could pester the Council to send someone around ASAP to suck it all up. I'd be happy to coordinate this activity.

Red Ribbon Campaign - Keeping your cool...

Well I suppose it was intevitable that someone would cut down more ribbons on the largely pro-tree West side. Solutions that won't put you in Police custody include:
... 1. Put the ribbons back up again (you'll buy cheaper ribbons next time, won't you now!)
... 2. Put the ribbons up high for greater public prominence and lesser ratbag accessibility.

Red Ribbon Campaign Hots Up!

I see someone has cut down a few of the red ribbons! Having ribbons on the tree was obviously a contentious issue for some. Hmmmmm...

Red Ribbon Compaign Picks Up

Whoever put up those ribbons, excellent work, guys! You really notice them as you drive down St James Ave now ...

Letter to Brian Boddy, CCC, 30 May 2006

Dear Brian

Please find attached a flyer I have sent out to residents of St James Ave. In a nutshell, we respectfully suggest:

• there is more life in the trees than your arborist cares to admit
• the arborist insists on perfection or nothing, yet many places in the city benefit from replacement on demand
• the so-called stunted tree at the park entrance which has been held up as an example of overly close planting, is nothing of the sort
• road construction needs to be properly supervised to avoid tree damage.
• the CCC's record of tree husbandry in Papanui is not good (e.g. tree maintenance in St James Ave, and what appears to be a scorched earth policy in Matson's Ave!), although developments in Perry and Dormer Streets provide us with hope.
• this is not only a special street which we value highly as residents, but also a street that has special meaning for Returned Servicemen and their families.
  

We are not at all happy about the proposal and intend to change it to something that will more closely match the needs of St James Ave residents and the wider Papanui community.

Yourse sincerely

Mike Hurrell
121 St James Ave

Relevant CCC Websites

The CCC has three sites of interest:

1. The St James Ave - Dalriada St Project Information page but this has not been updated since April 28, and the "Have Your Say" consultation section has not been activated. However, at the bottom of the page there is a link to the Residents Survey results.
http://www.ccc.govt.nz/WebApps/ProjectNotices/ProjectView.aspx?ProjectId=2614

2. Special Amenities Area (SAM) 16 - St James Ave. Webpage describing the street: "The most noteworthy elements of the street that help create the high level of amenity are the mature trees, large grass berms, and wellvegetated front yards." Hmmm...!
http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cityplan/sams/16/

3. Pamphlet: Christchurch City Plan Rules regarding protected trees which describes various levels of tree protection and its implications for developers. http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Health/Pamphlets/RulesonProtectedTrees.pdf

The Flyer

The St James Ave Tree Removal Proposal

The CCC has proposed that the St James Avenue Scarlet Oaks be cut down and replaced with Scarlet Oak saplings. However, this plan is flawed for the following reasons:

·The arborist’s opinion is only an approximate estimate of tree life expectancy and may well fall far short of the actual life of the trees, about 100 years. Even if he is only 5 years out in his guesstimate, he is taking away the last 10-15 years of enjoyment of the current generation of residents and their children.

·The arborist’s opinion is based on his personal view that our avenue must have perfect symmetry, with identical trees along the street. However, even with replanting it is folly to believe that none of the saplings will need replacement. So will one failing tree ruin “the effect” and force another round of chopping and replanting? Far better to promote a sustainable resource by replacing current trees only when and where it is necessary. This has worked well with some of the other trees in St James Ave, as well as in many other tree-lined streets throughout the city.

·The idea of replacing the tree with small saplings “for future generations” is major spin. New trees will remain small for at least 15 years, and because of their size they will be susceptible to vandalism, a frequent problem in our neighbourhood. Ngaio Street in St Martins is held up as a fine example to copy, but St James Ave residents should go to Ngaio Street to fully appreciate what a pale reflection of the present trees this would create, and what a disaster for our current generation and the next generation this would be. If the state of Matson’s Ave trees is anything to go by, the Council plan has no chance! We need to protect our heritage.

·The Council justifies its plan using the state of the tree outside 116 St James Ave, but the stated reasons for this apparent poor state of health do not stack up. The tree in question is well clear of adjacent trees, and yet it is said that proximity to its neighbours has caused stunting. While there is some damage to this tree, it is a younger tree which one would expect to be smaller anyway. Other young trees further up the avenue are growing well, despite being close to larger trees.

·While it is true the trees will make the kerb and channel replacement more difficult, good supervision of contractors should increase the chances of tree survival. Inevitably there will still be some damage to roots, and this may shorten the tree life by 5 years. On the other hand, the removal of tar seal from over the roots and the planting of grassed areas in its place will improve root uptake of water and nutrients and improve the health of some trees.

·The Council is effectively dismantling its previous designation of St James Ave as a Special Amenities Area. Currently the Council acknowledges that “the most noteworthy elements of the street that help create the high level of amenity are the mature trees, large grass berms, and well vegetated front yards” (www.ccc.govt.nz/CityPlan/Sams/16/). Of these three elements, front yards are under the care of residents and not the Council. Although the Council should be responsible for the upkeep of the trees and grassed areas, it seems intent on abandoning its responsibilities.

·The Council has other undisclosed reasons why it would be convenient for the trees to be felled and replaced. Chopping down trees prior to starting roadworks is of course easier and cheaper. And the ongoing costs of maintenance such as trimming and leaf collection would also be avoided. But these trees are a living Memorial to the Fallen, and as such they deserve greater respect. ANZAC Day marches would not be the same.

Although some of the CCC staff appear to have the best of intentions, this ill-conceived plan will only diminish the value of this area to the community, socially, financially and historically.

Things you can do:

·Write to Brian Boddy, CCC, POBox 237, Chch, or email Brian.Boddy@ccc.govt.nz

·Tie a red ribbon around your favourite oak tree!

Mike & Jacqui Hurrell
121 St James Ave
mhurrell@xtra.co.nz

I think that I shall never see
A billboard lovely as a tree.
Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,
I'll never see a tree at all.

- Ogden Nash, Song of the Open Road, 1933

... or perhaps you would prefer the original...

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree."

- Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918, Trees