Plane trees causing health problems say people in Richmond street

LARGE plane trees in a Richmond street are causing health problems for people and pets, locals say.

Theo Kondoyiannis and his neighbours are very upset about the street trees in Elm Grove Richmond - mainly about the pollen which he says causes a range of health issues. He wants the trees half cut down, so there is less pollen.Pictured is left George Ganas and Theo Kondoyiannis with Asprouli his dog who has also suffered with Pollen allergies Picture: Mark Wilson

LARGE plane trees in a Richmond street are causing health problems for people and pets, locals say.

Theo Kondoyiannis, one of the people who says they are affected by the trees, has lived on Elm Grove for the past eight years and his parents lived there since the 1950s.

The street is lined with mature London plane trees and Mr Kondoyiannis said the pollen they dropped in spring was causing health problems.

“They are beautiful trees for the street and they provide a nice shade, but at this time of year the pollen is terrible,” he said.

“Almost everyone in the street has asthma or hay fever. Every time when we go outside they stick in your throat and you’ve got to cough, cough, cough for 15 minutes.

“At this time of year we can’t open any doors or windows, especially if it’s a windy day, because that pollen comes into the house and it’s very bad.

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“My little dog has had pollen stuck in his throat a couple of times. He was sneezing and sneezing and I have to take him to the vet three or four times a year.”

Mr Kondoyiannis said the trees should be cut in half to reduce the amount of pollen, or another tree species considered, and said most neighbours supported his stance.

Socialist Cr Stephen Jolly said the trees should be pruned.

“These beautiful trees are unchecked and it’s having an impact on the health of residents and their animals,” he said.

Mayor Phillip Vlahogiannis said lopping the trees in half was not an option.

“Cutting the trees would significantly reduce canopy cover, which provides important amenity to the street, such as providing oxygen and shade and lowering the temperature when it’s hot,” he said.

But Cr Vlahogiannis said the council was monitoring trials to reduce the impact of pollen and would consider any successful methods.

Melbourne Council is trialling injecting plane trees in Lygon St after traders and customers complained about pollen in the popular cafe strip.

Cr Vlahogiannis said the council was not considering replacing the trees with a new species at this stage.