Burnside Village tree to cop the chop
The gum tree at Burnside Village shopping centre is facing the axe after arborists conceded it is as good as dead.
Centre owners have spent $2 million trying to keep the tree alive, but experts have now advised it is beyond saving.
Ironically, it was the environmentally-friendly approach to the 2011 redevelopment of the shopping centre that doomed the tree.
The roof was selected to help bring the centre to a five-star energy rating, but it blocked out vital ultraviolet light.
Special lights were installed to provide more UV rays, but a final inspection last month revealed it was all in vain.
Arborists will start work tonight, removing limbs and watering systems, with the tree expected to be gone by Sunday.
Pat Cohen, head of the Cohen Group which owns the centre, said the removal of the tree was like losing a good friend.
“All of the arborists conceded we couldn’t do anything else to save the tree,” she said.
“We want to be able to recycle it in some way or another, so furniture, sculptures, it won’t be lost.”
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