SHADY BUSINESS: Elsham Avenue resident Ruby Gilbey says she’s had enough of overgrown trees shading her yard. Photo: JUDE KEOGH. 1015trees1
SEVERAL residents in Elsham Avenue say a row of large pine trees on an adjoining property are a fire hazard and block sunlight in their backyards.
Resident Ruby Gilbey told the Central Western Daily the trees are a constant worry and she wants them removed.
Originally planted at Orange City Council’s request, the trees were designed as a buffer between the residential houses in Elsham Avenue and a group of small factories operating in the street behind them.
However the pine trees and a few eucalyptus trees have now grown so large that Mrs Gilbey’s backyard is completely overshadowed by the trees.
“It’s cut out all light here so I took the clothes line out, there wasn’t enough sun to dry anything,” she said.
Mrs Gilbey said light wasn’t the only problem, some of the trees appear to be unhealthy and she fears one may eventually fall over.
“My daughter owns the house and she’s very concerned as well, what would happen if one of the trees fell on the house?”
Mrs Gilbey’s neighbour Aurthur Stedman said young children have been known to frequent the area around the trees and smoke cigarettes.
“They’re a massive hazard, they really are,” Mr Stedman said.
“If one of them caught on fire it would go off with a bang.”
Mr Stedman said he’s so concerned about the trees impinging on his yard that he pays $400 a year to have them trimmed.
Council spokesperson Allan Reeder confirmed the trees were planted by the owner of the land which houses the factory complex, at council’s request.
“They were planted as a visual buffer and a sound barrier,” Mr Reeder said.
Mr Reeder said after hearing the residents’ concerns council wrote a letter to the land owner last year telling them the pine trees needed to remain where they were however their height could be halved and the eucalyptus trees could be removed.
Mr Reeder said any trimming of the trees would have to be done and paid for by the owner of the land.
“It’s up to them to pick up the cost of maintaining their property,” Mr Reeder said.
“It’s not the role of the Orange City Council to negotiate these issues.