Tensions flare over 'excessive' tree trimming

By Michelle Webster
Updated November 5 2012 - 6:45pm, first published October 7 2008 - 10:47am
Joumana Moussa of Western Ave, Mangerton, with one of the brush box trees that has been "excessively" pruned by Integral Energy. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON
Joumana Moussa of Western Ave, Mangerton, with one of the brush box trees that has been "excessively" pruned by Integral Energy. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON

Mangerton's brush box trees are providing a little less shade after an enthusiastic annual trim.Mangerton Tree Group's Tracey McClintock said the recent pruning of the suburb's trees by Integral Energy had been excessive."I'm not sure why they're trimmed so harshly," she said. "There is bundled cable in a lot of the area now so I don't know why you can't have trees grow closer."Arborist Warwick Varley said electricity providers were required to follow specific tree pruning guidelines, but tensions between Integral Energy and residents would continue until overhead powerlines were phased out. "Unfortunately, two years ago, there was a re-write of clearance requirements expanded to about 2-3m, depending on the voltage of the lines," he said. "The most practical method is to place powerlines underground."Ms McClintock said trees should be trimmed or removed when public safety was an issue but argued higher value should be placed on the suburb's greenery."If they have the guidelines why would they exceed them?" she said."Sometimes there are ways that people can avoid removing trees but they don't consider the alternatives, they'll cut down a 50-year-old tree to widen their driveway."Surely there's ways of doing things that everyone can be happy with."An Integral Energy spokeswoman said two trees on Western Ave, Mangerton, had been removed as part of a large project to replace three power poles. The spokeswoman said further investigation into procedures would take place.

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