New policy on trees likely

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 6

New policy on trees likely

More residential and business district streets may become eligible for trees under a new Christchurch City Council proposal. Parks and recreation committee members said there should be a more liberal policy on street trees, even in areas where problems were encountered in planting normal trees. The committee’s chairma n(Cr P. N. G. Blaxall) satd that he had been disappointed when helping to judge recent street competitions that residents in Apollo Place, in the city, had done a magnificent iob in trying to beautify the street, but it was no match f<>r Waimairi County's treelined street finalist. Because Apollo Place had too narrow a footpath to qualify for trees or shrubs, it had lost on that count. Councillor Blaxall said

- that residents interested in - planting even a single tree ri beside their street should .be encouraged to contact the J parks and recreation departement for advice. The couns.cil should not always wait I for residents to request II plantings. hut take the f! initiative in some neigh- ;| bourhoods. "We should be concerned ..with the lowliest street in I'the lowliest suburb.” he -1 said. Other councillors said j I that the city centre should -‘not be forgotten in the t drive for more trees, and .•much more could be done 3 with tub planting. • I ‘‘We don't want to turn tithe place into a blooming -j forest.” said Cr P. J. R. ' Skellerup. but the council f itself could set a good example by putting more 'jgreenery outside its Manii Chester Street offices.