Alexandrina Council has scheduled major tree maintenance works in the Soldiers Memorial Gardens and Lions Park in Strathalbyn next week.

It follows recommendations of an arborist report conducted late last year after community concerns were raised about the health of a historic Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) near the rotunda on the southern side of the Peninsula.

More than 20 trees in the Gardens and Park will be pruned of dead wood, including the historic Stone Pine, which was one of the original trees planted in the precinct in the late

1800s.

Three dead or dying Cotton Palms (Washingtonia robusta) at the eastern end of the Children’s Bridge will be removed.

Due to their heritage value, the removal of the Cotton Palms was referred to State Heritage for advice and to PlanSA for Development Approval, which was granted.

One of Cotton Palms is an original planting from the 1930s and has been assessed as having reached the end of its life span.

The remaining two Cotton Palms were planted as replacements sometime between 2001 and 2004 following the collapse of an original palm during a storm. 

Drought conditions in the ensuing years and more recent seasonal damage caused by Little Corellas have contributed to their demise.

A fourth Cotton Palm, believed to be an original planting but located away from the Children’s Bridge, is in good condition and will remain.

Two small dead Eucalypts will also be removed from the banks of the Angus River as they pose a risk to park users and have been assessed as providing limited habitat value.

In the cooler months, the council will plant Eucalypts and smaller species along the river’s edge on the downstream section of the park between the last weir and the St Andrew's Bridge.

Alexandrina CEO Andrew MacDonald says: “Back in 1999 a Conservation and Management Study of the Strathalbyn Soldiers Memorial Gardens was conducted by the University of Adelaide and the Cotton Palms were classified as having ‘high aesthetic value’. 

“In line with the management plan for the Gardens, we have sought advice from State Heritage regarding their replacement, which will be close to their original location and equal distance from the path near the Children’s Bridge.

“We are sourcing advanced Cotton Palms from interstate, and they will be planted this year when the seasonal rains arrive, and conditions are optimal.

“Ground anchors will be used to secure the root ball thereby eliminating the need for unsightly staking and cabling.

“The retaining bricks that surround the base of the palms will be removed, as they do not conform to the heritage of the Gardens.

“The Soldiers Memorial Gardens are a popular and picturesque feature of Strathalbyn and the Alexandrina community is proud of its history.

The works will start on Monday 17 February and are expected to take up to 10 days to complete, weather permitting.

For more information about our projects, visit the Alexandrina Council website.