Avonside residents want trees felled

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 9

Avonside residents want trees felled

Damage to footpaths and fences by horse chestnut trees in Avonside Drive has prompted residents to petition for their removal.

Seven out of 10 households between Morris Street and Robson Avenue want the Aesculus hippocastanum trees felled.

Their complaints are that the tree roots have cracked and lifted footpath tarseal, cracked boundary fences, may

damage stormwater drains, obscure street lighting, cause a hazard, and may bring down power lines. A Christchurch City Council Inspection found eight of the 10 properties had cracks in front fences which appeared to have been caused by the tree roots. Several of the trees were too close to street lights and covered the lights only a year after being pruned.

Because of large, shallow roots, the trees were unsuitable for most street planting, the council report said. Between Morris Street and Robson Avenue there are 11 trees and 20 further along the street.

The, council will seek the wishes of individual households about the trees outside their properties and an inspection will be made of trees that residents want removed.