Tree roots cause damage

Two of Victoria Ave's distinctive London plane trees have been removed.

Wanganui District councillor Ray Stevens, chairman of the council's infrastructure and property committee, said the trees were removed because their roots were damaging the raised pedestrian crossing at the lower end of Victoria Ave.

The trees had been earmarked for removal for some time, after the infrastructure and property committee decided in March 2011 they should go.

Wanganui District Council deputy properties manager Greg Morris told the committee at that time that the trees were causing problems in the nearby environment.

"We have a genuine concern with the relationship between them and the surrounding infrastructure.

"There is a water main nearby and the roots are pushing up the road surface."

Mr Morris said the plane trees, which were about 20 years old, were originally planned to be replaced about every 10 years but that had not happened for financial reasons.

He said in his opinion it was best to have the planes replaced with a "less aggressive" species on that section of the avenue.

"Even young plane trees that are only about 10 years old will cause problems."

However, Mr Stevens said the problem trees will be replaced with new London plane trees.

"One tree will be planted in the raised island and the other will be located elsewhere in the bottom block," Mr Stevens said.

"This is a difficult site to re-plant as the old water main is very close to the surface near the raised island."

Mr Stevens said the delay in the trees being planted was a result of the dry autumn.