Three Golden Cypress Trees in Thompson Avenue, Cowes, will be removed and replaced after two independent arborists’ reports indicated replacement as the best strategy for the trees.

Bass Coast Shire Council Acting Infrastructure Director, Felicity Sist, said the trees earmarked for removal were getting to a point where they were structurally unsafe.

“The trees have a limited lifespan,” said Ms Sist.

“Council staff have completed maintenance work on a number of other trees in the Avenue, but unfortunately these three trees will need to be removed.

“We are continuing to work with the Friends of the Golden Cypress group to ensure that this is done in a sensitive manner.

“This includes replacing the trees with young Golden Cypress,” continued Ms Sist.

Young Golden Cypress trees have been propagated in Monbulk and moved to the Cowes depot for acclimatisation and so they are available for replacement when needed.

The trees will be planted straight after the removal and will have root barriers and tree guards around them to help protect them.

“The young trees are quite small and the community will get to watch them grow,” said Ms Sist.

“They will take quite a few years to reach full maturity.

“We will continue to complete maintenance works on the trees as required.”

Council will apply for a planning permit to remove the trees. The trees are expected to be removed in April or May 2011.

Anne Davie of Friends of the Golden Cypress said she was pleased the trees would be replaced by a Golden Cypress of the same variety.

“We’re pleased with the start of this replacement strategy, which preserves the historic character of Cowes for future generations,” said Ms Davie.

“This replanting also removes the potential hazard of these old trees, so the public is kept safe. It’s a positive outcome for everyone involved.”