FOR an insight into what the new trees will look like in Warrnambool’s Liebig Street, swing by Lutana Grove, off Donovans Road.
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The grove is planted with chanticleer ornamental pear trees – the same species as what will be established in the CBD – as part of the Warrnambool City Council’s $15 million city centre revitalisation project.
Councillor Peter Hulin said the trees would be a great replacement for the original plane trees which were planted in the CBD.
“I think people will be delighted with the foliage (of the chanticleer ornamental pear trees),” he said.
“People will come to appreciate the colour changes during the seasons.”
He said the trees in Lutana Grove were planted 18 years ago by Clive Membery.
“They have been very successful,” Cr Hulin said.
The 19 plane trees have already been removed and will be replaced by 30 ornamental trees in Liebig Street between Raglan Parade and Koroit Street.
A council spokesman told The Standard the trees were chosen for their conical shape, attractive foliage, resistance to salt, wind and urban environments and suitable root systems.
The trees can reach up to 11 metres in height and the dark green foliage changes colour seasonally from gold to plum and burgundy in autumn. In spring they are covered in white blossom.
The trees will eventually spread up to 7 metres in diameter.
“In 2014 the council received strong feedback from traders and the public that the large leaves and tree roots of the plane trees created problems including blocked shop gutters and some disturbance to the road surface and footpaths,” the spokesman said.
The new trees will come in large 300-litre tubs and be installed between parking bays, further away from shopfronts. The trees will be three to four metres in height when planted. Cr Hulin said himself and fellow councillor David Owen were on the council’s environmental planning committee, which would be evaluating all trees in the CBD.