Questionable Council Approach

John from Woolston

Every year on the grass area beside the Heathcote River along parts of Richardson and Clarendon Terraces saplings and seedlings from a single specie of tree grow. On the bend of Richardson Tce. approaching the 2 overhead bridges they have become a real danger to road users as they obscure vision of the road ahead. Each year after prompting, contractors come and cut these off. Because they don't poison these plants when they cut them off they grow again next year along with new seedlings. The longer they do this the greater their root systems will become.

A WORD OF WARNING for walkers; they have just been cut off and in many cases a stub several inches long has been left. Be careful as they will trip you up if you don't see them, or if you inadvertently stand on them they could easily penetrate footwear, causing nasty injuries.

Several different approaches could be taken by Council, namely removing the offending trees (which I am not in favour of as if I am correct in identifying them they are beautiful mature exotic specimens.) Digging or pulling the saplings and seedlings out, which in my opinion is impractical, which leaves cutting and poisoning. I am aware many will be against poisoning, which is your belief, but is that belief ill founded ? If you are against poisoning please give a practical cost effective alternative solution.