New hedge to replace felled trees

Residents in Gore's Lyne Street are finally getting out of the shade after the Council felled six mature trees in the street.

The golden cypress trees were aged between 25 and 30 years, and had been causing winter shading issues for several years.

Parks and Recreation Manager Keith McRobie said there were records of complaints from residents from before he started working at the Council.

“Residents were worried about shading in winter. The footpath would often remain icy during the day and homes would get very little, if any, sunlight.”

He had met with Gore Tennis Club representatives recently at which the future of the trees was discussed. Club members favoured topping the trees.

“Topping was probably the intention when the trees were planted, to keep them at a manageable height and shaped.

“However, it never happened and attempting to do it now, with such mature trees, invariably results in a hack job.”

The Council will be planting a mixed hedge closer to the tennis club fence to replace the trees. The hedge will be managed so it has the same height and density as the hedge on the Preston Street side of the courts, Mr McRobie said.

There is a tennis fence in place where the trees were which seems to serve its purpose, that is, stopping stray tennis balls.