SDCC faces backlash for felling Corkagh Park trees

South Dublin County Council has come under criticism for authorising the felling of 46 trees in Corkagh Park in Clondalkin.

In a statement, the local authority said that 31 of these trees were small Ash trees, all located at St. John’s Wood carpark, and were suffering from “Ash-dieback disease.”

“The remaining trees were in poor structural and physiological condition, as per the Tree Survey, carried out by a professional Arboriculturist.

“The largest tree to be removed was a Monterey Cypress.

“According to the Tree Report, this tree was suffering with a fungal infection called Cypress Canker.

“This disease was beginning to cause die-back in some of its larger limbs, thus creating a risk to park users.”

South Dublin County Council is currently in the process of re-developing Corkagh Park which includes the construction of a new “hub zone” building consisting of a café, public toilets, a kitchen area, storage facilities, seating, and a multi-use events space.

Outside landscaping is also planned with picnic areas, public seating, lawns, and play areas also set to be developed.

St. John’s Wood car park and Green Isle car park will also be resurfaced and the Fairy Woodland Trail is to be improved.

The council says that “to mitigate the loss of trees”, 93 trees will be planted “in various locations in the park.

“This tree selection will be made up of various native Irish species, due to the importance of planting native trees to enhance biodiversity in our parks.”

However, councillors say they were not informed of the felling prior to the trees’ removal.

Sinn Fein councillor William Carey said that “at no stage were councillors made aware that the large mature trees were to be removed.

“What has been of particular concern has been the felling of the large Monterey Cypress,” he says.

“I only learned of this when I was alerted through social media and the comments on the “Friends of Corkagh Park” Facebook page.

“Shortly after which I began receiving emails and texts expressing outrage about the removal of this glorious tree.”

Carey says that although he trusts the diagnosis from the arboriculturist, “we do need to know how extensive was this disease in the tree and if any other action could have been taken to save the tree.”

“Councillors rely on the expertise that is provided through the management of SDCC, but it is incumbent upon the council to provide a full and detailed explanation when such a huge decision is being made.”

Local resident Alan Ryan also criticised the council, saying that photos taken of the Monterey Cypress before and after it was felled show it was in “excellent health.”

Ryan says he believes the trees were cut because they were “in proximity to the area that has been earmarked for extensive, destructive redevelopment.”