COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, May 23, 2016

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor M. Duff

"To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report regarding the Tree Management Plan for the N81, indicating the views of residents from Glenview Park, regarding the removal of selected trees in that area and if the majority favoured removal of all the trees in one go or over a phased period of time?"

REPLY: 

In October 2015, an independent arborist was commissioned to assess the condition of trees located along the boundary of Glenview Park with the N81 road and to make recommendations on the future management of the trees. These trees form a physical and visual barrier between the houses in Glenview and this busy section of the N81.

The trees are located in a line along open space at the side of Glenview Park forming a boundary along the N81. There are 2 species present – the majority being Poplar, Populus nigra, and Ash, Fraxinius excelsior. The trees were planted in double lines at 2 m centres and have now reached early mature to semi mature stage. This tree line has become fragmented in places by the removal or failure of trees over the years.

The tree survey included c.120 trees with each tree being individually assessed and tagged with a reference no. The survey report noted that the Poplars have reached a size where they are beginning to suffer from wind damage. There is evidence of branches and limbs falling from the crown of the trees. The growth of the Ash has been suppressed and restricted by the surrounding Poplars and this is affecting their structure and future potential.

Two Tree Management options have been outlined.

• Option 1 -To remove all the Poplar trees in one go and to carry out replanting with a more appropriate tree species.
• Option 2 - To remove the trees on a phased basis and to carry out new tree planting in a similar phased basis as the trees are removed.

In order to inform local elected representatives and the residents of Glenview Park, two meetings were arranged to present the findings of the survey and discuss the options for future management of the trees. On March 9th, a meeting was arranged with the Tallaght Area Elected Members at County Hall and on April 26th, a public meeting was held at St. Aengus Community Centre to which all residents of Glenview Park were invited to attend via a notification dropped into the letterbox of each household. The public meeting was attended by over 50 residents and a number of Elected Members for the Tallaght area. A presentation was made at each meeting outlining the findings of tree survey, the proposed management options and proposed action to include planting options.

Discussions were held regarding the tree management options and the following comments were noted:

1. Place a copy of the public meeting presentation on the 'Tree Management' page on the Council’s website www.sdcc.ie
2. Begin removal of trees in July 2016
3. Replanting - plant a beech hedge inside the boundary railing and incorporate a line of ornamental Cherry trees, Prunus padus.
4. Report to the next meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee in May 2016
5. A show of hands indicated the majority of people in attendance at the public meeting were in favour of removing all the trees at once and replanting.

In the context of the above, the Council's recommendation is to progress with arrangements for the removal of all of the trees and replanting as agreed.