COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

MOTION NO. 11

MOTION: Councillor R. Nolan

The residents of Hillcrest have asked that the 50 plus stumps of trees that are in the estate be removed and replaced with new trees. That this Area Committee pass a motion committing that this be done.

REPORT:

When a tree is felled by the Council, it is not always possible to remove the stump at the same time. In these circumstances a short tree stump is left as a temporary measure.  The stump is usually left at around 1m high so that it does not constitute a trip hazard in the intervening period. 

Due to problems with the Council's own stump grinder and the lack of availability of a similar machine for hire very few stumps were removed by the Council during 2018.  Following a tendering process to purchase a new machine, it is proposed to commence the removal of the remaining tree stumps listed on the 2019 Tree Stump Removal programme, over 300 of which are in the in the Lucan, North Clondalkin and Palmerstown area. This work will be scheduled, starting next month and will be completed before the end of the current year. 

If a site where a tree was removed is suitable to support a new tree, the site may be replanted with a suitable tree species. Because the stump has to be placed on a stump removal list and sufficient time needs to elapse to allow breakdown of residual underground root material, the process from removal to replanting may take up to 3-5 years. Replacement tree planting will only take place during the dormant season.