Ash trees done their dash

THE colour is to return to Kimbolton Road, Feilding.

Contractors began removing the 120 ageing claret ash trees down the centre of one of the town’s busiest thoroughfares on Monday in a replanting operation aimed at bringing back the “wow” factor of autumnal colours.

Parks and Reserves Manager, Albert James, said the trees, running in a line from North Street to South Street, had “done their dash” after being planted more than 40 years ago.

“We anticipated them lasting for around 30 years and they have been struggling over the past decade,” he said.

Mr James said the replacement trees, red ash, are conical-shaped and will stay within the drip line of the grass verge and not spill leaves and twigs onto the road surface.

“They are hardier, a lot easier to look after and reasonably quick-growing.”

Chips from the old trees are to be used in the gardens at Timona Park and on the fitness trail at Victoria Park, while some of the bigger slabs will go to a wood-turning group.

Mr James said the work had been planned for some time and hoped the whole operation, including the stump grinding and replanting, would be finished within a three-week period.

“Once the new trees are established they will provide a nice shape and get the colour back into Kimbolton Road,” he said.