COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart

"To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the tree replacement programme for Whitecliff Estate Rathfarnham?"

REPLY:

The 2015 Tree Maintenance Programme included a small no. of trees for removal in Whitecliff Estate, Rathfarnham.  As part of a routine pre-inspection of the estate in advance of commencing these removal works, it was noted that a significant number of additional trees in the estate were exhibiting very severe amounts of crown dieback.  Unfortunately, the estate is planted almost entirely with Sorbus species which are members of the mountain ash, rowan or whitebeam families and it became evident from our observations that some apparently virulent issue was spreading through the Sorbus trees in the estate causing their dieback and decline.  It is important to recognise that wherever possible the Council will remove trees only as a last resort, when there is no alternative remedial action that can be implemented, and following consultation with officials from the Plant Health Inspectorate in the Department of Agriculture, a decision was made to remove the trees worst affected by the crown dieback in an attempt to curtail further spread of the problem.

Consequently, in July/August 2015, just over 100 trees were removed from Whitecliff estate.  These included dead trees, those where 50% or more of the crown had died or was in decline and others exhibiting structural defects in the branching or trunk of the tree that would render the tree potentially hazardous

It is acknowledged that the visual impact of these tree removals in Whitecliff estate is significant and the Council is committed to a programme of replanting for the estate.  The timeframe for replanting following the removal of a tree is normally determined by the requirement for remaining tree roots to rot down and enable the availability of sufficient space for the rootball of a new tree to be installed.  This process can take at least 2 years.  However, the roots of the Sorbus trees in Whitecliff estate would generally be less extensive than those of larger trees such as lime or maples and it is fortunate that the extent of the roadside margins within the estate and the location of many of the trees removed is such that it is feasible to plan and initiate a programme of replacment planting in autumn 2016.  It may not be possible to plant a replacment tree at all locations where a tree was removed but we will be endeavouring to optimise opportunities for tree planting throughout the estate.  

As the requirement for new or replacement tree planting is substantial, it is intended to prepare a tree planting plan for the estate to enable a clear and co-ordinated approach to the programme for planting.  In consideration of replacement tree planting, we will be seeking to replant with a mix of species in order to minimise the risk of a situation reoccurring whereby a monoculture of predominantly one tree species might again be exposed to disease or other debilitating issue.  It is intended to phase the implementation of the proposed tree planting plan over the next 2-3 years commencing in autumn 2016.  When a draft tree planting plan has been prepared, the Council would welcome engagement and discussion with the Residents Association on its proposals.