Burnside Village tree saga 'overshadows upgrade', former business owners from centre say

Messenger East: THE Burnside Village tree saga has overshadowed the centre's $100 million redevelopment, two former precinct business owners say.

THE Burnside Village tree saga has overshadowed the centre's $100 million redevelopment, two former business owners from the precinct say.

The owners, who both recently moved out of the centre, said shoppers and traders had been commenting on the declining health of the 100-year-old gum tree over the past several months.

"We'd have a lot of people stop by the (florist) kiosk and mention something about the tree,'' Justine Ross, who sold Burnside Village Flowers last month, said.

"People said they don't like to sit under the tree anymore because it doesn't look safe.''
Ms Ross was sad the tree had struggled to survive in its artificial environment.

"I think the poor tree is on its way out,'' she said.

Pierina D'Angelica, who relocated her shop Boulevarde Gallery from Burnside Village to Dulwich in July, said talk of the tree's demise had overshadowed the centre's $100 million development.

"That's all we heard about,'' Ms D'Angelica said. "You can't keep a natural gum tree in an enclosure like that.

"I thought from the beginning that they should be able to open the roof to allow sunlight in.''

Burnside Village owners The Cohen Group last week ended months of silence on the declining health of the tree.

Matriarch Pat Cohen said they would continue pouring money into rejuvenating the stressed gum.

The group has already spent $126,000 on the gum's care since the new mall opened last November.

This included a misting system to control leaf moisture, changes to airconditioning and the installation of electronic doors to help control temperatures.

Mrs Cohen said the family had also made plans to replace the gum with a tropical tree if it dies.

"As a family, we've looked at the fact that we need to have a back-up plan," Mrs Cohen said.

"We've contacted our architects and they're looking at some sculpture options but we still want something living."

A replacement tropical tree was a possibility, she said.

H by Felici owner Houssam Abiad said he would be sad to see the tree die.

"I know if anything was to happen to this tree that the Burnside Village management and especially the Cohen family would be very upset,'' Mr Abiad said.

"I am certain that Burnside Village have and will continue to do their best to retain and forward manage the health of the tree.''

Other Burnside Village traders contacted by the Eastern Courier Messenger last week refused to comment on the tree's state.

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