Council responds to over pruning of Liquid Amber trees in Leura

Blue Mountains City Council is aware that a number of trees in Gladstone Road, Leura have been significantly over pruned by contractors and acknowledges the concern of residents.

Council commissioned the work in an attempt to prolong the life of the mature trees in Gladstone Road in recognition that this is a significant avenue of trees. It was also to mitigate public risk following numerous large branches falling down in recent times.   The intention was to simply reduce some of the weight on the large limbs by removing some of the smaller branches. Regrettably the pruning was more severe than intended.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill said, “The over-pruning of these trees is really disappointing. Council staff are working with the contractor to understand what happened and why. 

“We will do what we can to help the trees to recover and to restore the much-loved streetscape”.

The over pruning was done in error by contractors which have previously done a lot of quality work for Council. 

As soon as Council was notified of the over pruning the contactors were asked to stop work.

Council’s arborist will work with the contractor as they continue with the pruning to ensure the remaining few trees to be pruned are done to the intended standard.

The Liquid Amber trees are a robust tree and are expected to grow new branches although they may not achieve the same shape of the original tree.

Council will look at some succession planting of advanced trees in between the existing Liquid Amber trees to maintain the look and feel of the streetscape.  In time these will come to replace the aging trees and help maintain this important avenue of trees.