Hall Street Trees in Serious Decline – Replacements Due

As part of stage two of the Town Centre Upgrade, Franklin District Council has been assessing the future prospects for the two Oriental Plane trees in the median strip on Hall Street. A Council assessment found the trees to be in serious decline and close to the end of their lifespan.


This won’t be news to anyone who passes the trees regularly as the lack of canopy growth and significant dead wood has been particularly visible since spring. People will have seen that the trees have begun growing foliage along the trunk and main branches in a last ditch effort to survive.


Since the assessment, Council Officers have discussed the options available for moving, replacing or leaving the trees as part of the Hall Street upgrade work.


“We have considered all options for the trees including retaining them or replacing them, however, either option will cause too much stress or damage to the roots. For this reason we have decided to replace them now, where a good, deep planting pit can be dug and new trees can be planted. This will ensure that Hall Street is the home to beautiful, healthy trees again,” says Franklin District Council’s Director of Operations and Services, Ian Alexander.


The trees will most likely be replaced with new Oriental Plane Trees in the next few weeks.