Memorial Avenue Tree Maintenance Criticised

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30051, 8 February 1963, Page 8

Memorial Avenue Tree Maintenance Criticised

The Waimairi County Council, which was responsible for maintenance of the trees and shrubs in Memorial avenue, had not set a very high standard, the Director of Reserves (Mr H. G. Gilpin) said in a report to the City Council.

His comments were prompted by continued newspaper correspondence on the trees in the avenue. After repeating the report which led to the Memorial Avenue Committee to decide In the plantings, Mr Gilpin said that much of the present criticism was uninformed, particulary as the planting was in line with modern trends overseas. But there were grounds for some complaints about maintenance, he said. “Trees in particular require at least five years to become established, and during this period need regular attention to pruning, staking, and, during dry spells, watering,” he said. “The mortality of trees, especially among the scarlet oaks and also the species of mountain ash, together with the generally neglected appearance of many of the trees indicate that this very necessary attention has been somewhat neglected. Watering points are provided along the median strip.” His department had endeavoured to co-operate with the county council and had offered to supply scarlet oaks and mountain ash for replacements, as it was realised that some difficulty might

have been met with species of malus and prunus which were not in keeping with the original scheme. The City Council had borne the major burden in the construction, laying out, and planting of the avenue, meeting about 75 per cent, of the total cost, Mr Gilpin said. The council agreed that the county council should be told that Mr Gilpin was available in an advisory capacity and would be able to advise on the maintenance of trees and replacement of dead trees in the avenue.

"Here we have a case of the very best planning not being properly carried out.” said Cr. P. J. Skelleruo. “Now we are offering Mr Gilpin’s services in an advisory capacity to try to improve things.”