Sycamores fall to bark death disease

YARRA Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn has described the removal of two sycamore trees in Belgrave’s main street as “a great shame.”
The trees, located outside Bells Tavern, were removed yesterday (Monday) after being deemed an unacceptable safety risk to pedestrians and motorists.
The shire received planning approval based on the recommendation of two separate arborists’ reports suggesting that the trees were being weakened by a condition known as bark death.
Cr Dunn said: “Given the location of the trees safety had to come first.”
The trees have already been replaced with two advanced flowering cherries.
“Flowering cherries are planted nearby in Main Street, so the street will retain its current character,” said Cr Dunn.