Proposed Tree Replacement Program
Mowbray St between Davidson & Garrick
Background
There are fourteen trees lining Mowbray Street between Davidson and Garrick Street. The species of tree is Calophyllum inophyllum (Beauty Leaf).
The trees look beautiful, enhance the streetscape and provide shade for pedestrians and parked cars. They are however, unsuited to the urban landscape. Their surface roots are very destructive. The roots have lifted sections of the footpath, interfered with driveways, and badly dislodged the grass pavers in place to provide a solid base for parked cars. It creates trip hazards for people walking along the path and when people exit their vehicles, they are required to navigate unlevel ground.
These mature trees are also nearing the end of their life. Council expects they will start to die within 10 years – which means the trees will drop dead branches more frequently, potentially damaging cars parked underneath, or injuring pedestrian using the path.
Calophyllum (Beauty Leaf) Trees at Mowbray Street
Paperbark Trees (Melaleuca leucadendra) at Garrick Street
Proposal
Consideration is being given to progressively removing the Beauty Leaf trees and replacing them with narrow-leaf paperbark trees (Melaleuca leucadendra). These are more suited to the urban landscape and are the same species as planted along Garrick Street.
The approach would be to remove four trees this year – those causing the most damage and replant new trees immediately. Then in three years, replace another four trees, and repeat this so all 14 trees would be replaced by 2034. Essentially, replacement trees will be interspersed with existing trees, helping to maintain the overall tree canopy and ensuring there’s no significant visual gap in the streetscape. This allows for the removal of the most problematic trees first—those causing the greatest damage to infrastructure. The other approach would be to start at one end and work our way down the street. The benefit of this to enable the new trees to be in full sun and enhance their growth and establishment rate. The downside is the real problem trees would remain for another 6+ years. Some people would argue Melaleuca leucadendra is generally tolerant of a range of growing conditions, including partial shade.
Feedback
People will have different opinions, and we are interested in hearing from all who have an interest. Feedback is requested by 4 October and may be directed to Gaye Scott, gaye.scott@douglas.qld.gov.au or call Gaye on 0418 793 009.
