Griffith Avenue trees are being felled without proper notice, say locals

Dublin City Council has defended its decision to fell 24 trees on Griffith Avenue in Drumcondra.

A spokesperson for the council said it carried a study of all 1,000 trees that along Griffith Avenue and found that 24 were “in such poor condition as to be hazardous and their removal was recommended before the onset of annual autumn and winter storms and wind events.”

The local authority says that the planned felling of the trees will take place “immediately in advance of the reopening of schools,” and winter weather.

However, local Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Heney says proper notice should have been to local residents before the decision was made.

“Tree felling is a major issue for Griffith Avenue and affects all of its residents and beyond,” she says.

“Having discussed the matter with local people, it is my request and recommendation to City Council management, that any further felling of trees should be deferred for several weeks until the issue is properly discussed with residents, their associations and also the local City Council Area Committee meeting in September.”

Heney says that “residents are upset and annoyed about what is happening and the felling of trees cannot just proceed with a couple of days notice, particularly when so many people are on holidays.”

In a statement, Dublin City Council told Northside People that Griffith Avenue “is a unique double tree lined avenue reputed to be the longest without commercial properties in the northern hemisphere.

“Dublin City Council Parks and Biodiversity Service is committed to preserving the cultural and historic value of this boulevard for generations to come which will inevitably involve the replacement of individual trees as specimens unfortunately succumb to age or disease,” it said.

The council says that a hired arboriculturist recommended that the 24 trees be removed as they are “exhibiting significant decays, fungal infections, structural defects and cavities and cannot be allowed to remain on this busy boulevard with high levels of pedestrian footfall.

The council also cited the presence of five schools, two churches, bus route and cycle lanes along the street.

It also says it did bring to the attention the felling of the trees to local residents.

“Representatives of the Parks and Biodiversity Service called to the directly affected residents to advise of the necessity of these works, answer any queries or concerns and in some cases bring to their attention the defects, cavities and fungal infections as outlined in the arboriculturist report as some were not immediately obvious from the ground,” the council said.

“The immediate removal of the trees is essential safety work and while it is always disappointing when a mature tree must be felled, public safety must come first.

“Once the trees have been removed and the stumps ground out a follow up inspection will assess the suitability of each planting location for replacement tree planting this coming planting season.

“As the majority of these trees are growing in generous verges it is not foreseen that there should be any delay in scheduling replanting,” the council said.

“Replacements will be predominately London Plane trees to preserve the integrity of the boulevard to the roadside but there is an opportunity to plant different species to add some variety and interest on the inner line of trees next to the houses.

“Parks and Biodiversity Service will engage with residents with regard to the replanting programme later this year.”

The council says that the after the 24 trees are removed, further maintenance works will be carried out on Griffith Avenue, including crown reductions, targeted pruning etc.