The City of Hobart's arboriculture team will today commence removal of two giant sequoias in St David's Park that have been in decline since autumn last year.
The dead trees do not pose an elevated risk to the public, however, if left in place, their condition would continue to decline and present an increasing risk over time.
Most of St David's Park will remain open to the public during the removal works. However, a large perimeter fence will be installed around the sequoias to ensure their safe removal.
The works will begin on Monday 20 April and are expected to be completed by Friday 24 April. The tree stumps will be levelled out and the site remediated later in the year.
Both trees were planted in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and have formed part of the park's landscape and shared history for almost nine decades.
Despite repeated efforts to save them, the trees have not responded to treatment and will be replaced with two young giant sequoias, allowing the legacy of these trees to continue for future generations.
Removing the trees will be a complex operation, requiring a large team as well as specialist equipment to ensure the works are carried out safely and carefully.
Members of the public are asked to stay clear of the work site and to follow all local safety directions and signage that will be in place.
Given the special connection these trees have to many in the community, an Expression of Interest Process will be undertaken to gather ideas on how the timber can be used. In the meantime, most of the wood from the two trees will be stored to let the timber cure.
Quotes attributable to Acting Hobart Lord Mayor Dr Zelinda Sherlock:
"Watching these two giant trees come down this week will be very hard for the Hobart community and our staff, but St David's Park will remain one of our most beautiful and cherished parks.
"I look forward to hearing what ideas the community might have on how the timber from these fallen giants might be used, and plans are already underway to use some of the timber as part of a new waterfront interpretation project.
"Later this year, two young sequoia trees will be planted as part of the centenary celebrations of St David's Park, symbolising renewal and the continuation of this special place for future generations."
To stay up to date with the removal and replacement of these trees visit www.hobartcity.com.au/tree-giants
