Elm Avenue is an iconic and much-loved site in the Albury Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, the trees are at the end of their Useful Life Expectancy (ULE) and require replacement. This project provides background information and project status.
The Albury Botanic Gardens Master Plan 2022-2042 was endorsed by Council in June 2022. One of its main priority projects is to replace the declining elm trees that make up Elm Avenue and create a new double perennial border, which will be one of the longest in Australia.
Elm Avenue is an iconic and much-loved site in the Albury Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, the trees, some of which are over 140 years old, are in serious decline and at the end of their useful life. Independent arborist reports have indicated that "all trees have fair health and poor structure" and need to be removed.
To address this issue, the trees will be replaced with more resilient species. The council has developed a plan to replace the elms with advanced ginkgo trees, which are more climate resilient and still display incredible yellow autumn color, ensuring the avenue remains a beautiful and cherished part of the gardens.
A total of 24 trees along the northern boundary of the Albury Botanic Gardens were assessed, revealing that they are in 'Good' to 'Fair' health but have 'Fair' to 'Poor' structure. The southern row of trees is generally in better condition than the northern row. Poor pruning practices in the past have led to a reduction in the Useful Life Expectancy (ULE) of the trees.
As part of their natural lifecycle, these trees, around 140 years old, are now in the senescence phase, indicating a decline in health post-maturity. Consequently, many trees within Elm Avenue are nearing the end of their lifespan and will need removal in the short to medium term.
Based on the advice received, the council has developed a strategy for the removal and replacement of these trees, considering their historical and social significance.
It is proposed to replace the elm trees with an avenue of advanced ginkgo trees, which are more climate resilient than elms, but which still display incredible yellow autumn colour. The plan also includes the establishment of a new double perennial border beneath the trees, which will be one of the longest in Australia and will be in keeping with the heritage value of the Botanic Gardens.
The project aligns with Action 4 of the Botanic Gardens Master Plan:
Action 4
Replace the elms to secure The Avenue’s long-term place in the landscape:
- Extract from the Botanic Gardens Master Plan
Albury Botanic Gardens - The Avenue Landscape Concept Design - April 2024
On-ground works is scheduled to commence in December 2024 and include the following three stages:
28 March 2025
24 March 2025
21 March 2025
12 March 2025
Work on the Elm Avenue Redevelopment is resuming this week following Gardenesque. We will be removing the remaining tree canopies prior to the removal of the main truck and root plates. The temporary fencing has been realigned to the work zone extent with the gate at the corner of Dean Street and Wodonga Place closed. Other Botanic Gardens entry gates remain open.
28 February 2025
Arborists have completed trimming the tree canopies to approximately five metres. This is an interim measure to allow the Gardenesque event to run smoothly. Following Gardenesque, arborists will return to cut the remaining trunks to a height of two meters, enabling the mechanical removal of the trunk and root plates.
21 February 2025
An ecologist has begun the relocation of fauna (possums) from the trees this week as outlined in the guidelines of the approved Fauna Management Plan. Arborists have commenced trimming the tree canopies to reduce the height to allow mechanical removal of the trunks and root plates.
10 February 2025
A follow up chemical treatment of the trees has been undertaken. An ecologist will commence the fauna salvage process soon. This will be in accordance with the methods and conditions outlined in the approved Fauna Management Plan. Once complete, the tree canopies will be removed and the trunk's left to a height of approximately two metres. This will allow the mechanical removal of the trunk and root plate of the trees. Any suitable timber will be salvaged and repurposed.
19 December 2024
Temporary fencing has been erected. Chemical treatment of the elm trees is complete.
10 May 2024
Refined concept designs have been developed by GbLA which provide more details of The Avenue and the planting palette.
16 February 2024
Consultants have been engaged to progress the detailed design of replacing the avenue of elms with ginkgoes and associated landscaping.