24 replacement trees to be planted on Griffith Avenue

Dublin City Council’s decision to replace the 24 mature trees that were felled last year on Griffith Avenue has been “cautiously” welcomed by local Clontarf councillors.

The council said that it removes trees that the Parks Department determines are a danger to the public and cannot be appropriately trimmed back or are dying or dead.

The local authority said that it originally planned on replanting the felled trees in late 2021 but ongoing water works in the area pushed the initiative back into 2022.

“It is envisaged that the trees will be planted in late February or early March depending on weather and ground conditions,” the council said.

“The potential planting sites will be inspected in the next week or two and appropriate specimens ordered for replanting.”

Dublin City Council says it intends on planting the new trees “as close to the original sites as possible” but they may have to be positioned in a slightly different location to avoid “future conflict with walls and pavements.”

Local Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Heney said she welcomes the commitment by DCC but urges the authority to complete the works before the end of the current tree planting season.

“This particular tree replacement is a major issue of concern for residents of Griffith Avenue and surrounding areas who were dreadfully upset last year when they witnessed the trees being felled,” she said.

Having discussed the matter with locals, who expressed concern that the expected tree replacement works did not take place last September as expected, Heney has asked the council to begin the replanting as soon as possible.

“Council management needs to continue to engage with residents of Griffith Avenue, to avoid any further unnecessary upset,” she says.

In a reply to a question tabled by Heney at a recent council meeting, Dublin City Council says that it envisions the replacement trees to primarily London Pane “unless there is a strong rationale to specify another species.

“However, on the inner line of trees near resident’s properties there is an opportunity to plant different varieties in keeping with the original planting but that might introduce a small level of diversity and visual interest when viewed from the properties,” it said.

“A small number of residents have already expressed a preference as to what trees they would like to see planted outside their homes but the Parks Service is of course more than happy to hear the opinions of other residents in this regard.”

The council was criticised by local councillors and residents last August for felling the 24 mature London Pane trees on Griffith Avenue without prior notice.

Residents say that they were not consulted with before the felling began and local representatives called on the authority to cease the operation.

However, the council proceeded with the works saying that the trees 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.”