COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

MOTION NO. 11

MOTION: Councillor Mary Seery-Kearney

Cathaoirleach's Business

I note that the tree management plan was set out and seek an update on that progress in the form of a question.  The execution of the previous tree management plan has rendered the Council with a schedule of sites in Rathfarnham Templeogue where trees were removed.

I am seeking the support of this committee to ensure that priority is given to the alleviation of trip hazards in the form of holes where trees were removed and not filled in.  This is an acute hazard in the present crisis as people pass each other on footpaths and utilise the grass verge to maintain social distancing.

I have supplied the council with specific addresses where attention is required in the members reps system, however, it would appear this is a systemic issue that gives rise to liability for the Council and need to be addressed formally in the practice of tree management.

REPORT:

When a tree is felled by the Council, a tree stump is usually left at around 1m high so that does not constitute a trip hazard in the period prior to removal. It is not always possible to remove the stump immediately. Tree stump removal is normally undertaken during the winter months between November and February

Due to problems with the Council's stump grinder and the lack of availability of a similar machine for hire very few stumps were removed by the Council during 2018. 

Stump removal commenced in 2019 – see stump removal figures

2019                                       1033

2020 end March                        327

The tree stump removal process involves grinding down the stump to a depth 50mm. The area is reinstated by levelling the ground and placing a topsoil / sand mix with grass seed on the location.

As the tree roots decompose, a shallow depression can occur. This is a natural phenomenon and will with regular maintenance and cutting, repair itself .