City Services has closed access to the Albert Hall precinct in Yarralumla this week (27 – 31 March) as it works to remove over 100 dead and dying trees from the area.
Announcing the work, City Services said approximately 160 Pinus radiata trees (Monterey pines) would be removed and replaced with an alternate species.
“The trees that will be removed have reached the end of their safe and useful life and, as they are classified as a weed species, they will be replaced with an alternate species,” City Services said.
“No trees of heritage significance will be removed,” it said.
“An important part of the ACT’s Urban Forest Strategy is the ongoing management and replacement of trees at the end of their life as well as the planting of a diverse range of tree species to reduce the impacts caused by forest ageing.”
City Services said approximately 50 new trees of the Pinus species and other deciduous trees will be replanted in the area later this year, when the soil was in a good condition to ensure healthy growth of the new trees.
It said a reduced number of trees would be replanted to avoid the overcrowding currently experienced near Albert Hall and ensure the heritage requirement for a view through the trees to Lake Burley Griffin was achieved.
“Replacement trees will also be planted in nearby suburbs as part of the Autumn and Spring tree planting programs,” the Directorate said.
City Services said road closures would be required to ensure the trees could be removed safely.
It said that between 9.30am and 4pm, both cloverleaf ramps between Flynn Drive and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge would be closed, along with Flynn Drive, in both directions, from King Edward Terrace to Kaye Street.
