Cromwell’s Gair and Barry avenues to get replacement trees after plane tree removal

About 80 new trees are planned for Gair and Barry avenues in Cromwell after Central Otago District Council confirmed how it intends to replace the mature plane trees scheduled for removal.

Council approved a replanting plan on 1 October, saying the replacement trees will be planted as close as practicable to the positions of the existing trees. Planting is expected in winter 2028, after the current plane trees are removed and associated work is completed.

The existing trees date from around 1984, before the surrounding streets were subdivided and many of the driveways were constructed. Council decided in April to remove the trees and repair affected footpaths. The Cromwell Community Board subsequently recommended the replacement approach at its September meeting.

Rather than planting the same broad-canopy species again, the council plans to use fastigiate, or narrow-growing, deciduous trees. Possible species identified include columnar maple, fastigiate hornbeam, fastigiate beech and Chinese pistacia. Council says the proposed trees have smaller leaves and canopies and root systems considered more suitable around footpaths and driveways.

Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey said the council recognised the value residents place on the leafy character of Gair Avenue. He said replacement trees would be positioned as close to the original locations as practical, with neighbours consulted where appropriate about individual planting locations.

The change will not immediately recreate the appearance of the mature avenue. Council has cautioned that it will take time for the new trees to establish and for the street to regain a similar tree-lined character.

Funding of $100,000 for the replacement trees has been included in year one of the draft 2027-37 Long-term Plan. Council has also agreed to an overspend from reserves so trees can be ordered early enough for the programme. Under council tree policy, another 80 trees are also expected to be planted at a separate location that has not yet been determined.

The existing plane trees are scheduled for removal in May 2027, with replacement planting expected the following winter.

The council’s wider Gair Avenue area is also undergoing development. Its published project information says a council-owned subdivision in the area is intended to deliver about 110 homes across several stages, alongside stormwater and other infrastructure works. That subdivision project is separate from the avenue tree replacement decision but forms part of the changing streetscape around Gair Avenue.

The image supplied with the council release was identified as a ChatGPT depiction of columnar maple trees. Webfit News has not used the generated illustration in this draft.

Source: Central Otago District Council. Webfit News reviewed the council release and current council project information.