Dead and dying trees alongside New England Hwy to be removed in coming weeks

Trees along the New England Highway between Mt Kynoch and Cabarlah have been earmarked for removal. Here’s why:

A number of dead or dying trees alongside the New England Highway between Mt Kynoch and Cabarlah will be removed in coming weeks.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads needs to remove the trees to ensure the safety of motorists, bike riders and pedestrians using this section of the highway.

Some of the trees will have limbs trimmed to maintain the trunk as potential habitat for wildlife (pollarding), while others will be removed because they are a safety hazard.

Trees earmarked for removal could be dead, dying, be structurally unsound, or have poor branching formation at risk of falling onto the highway.

An environmental report has recommended removal of the trees but has stipulated the use of a qualified wildlife spotter and wildlife rehabilitator prior to removal.

Of the 5000 trees that underwent a detailed arboreal assessment, 69 trees were identified for removal of which 44 were classified as dead.

The trees to be removed are mostly eucalypts and acacias and are located along the highway south and north of Highfields, as well as a small number north of Littleton Drive, Highfields.

In addition, a large eucalyptus tree on the highway at Hampton, opposite the Hampton Store, will have its limbs trimmed.

This tree was identified as a risk to pedestrian and motorist safety.

It has a large dead section of bark, signs of borers, and severe dieback of the tree canopy.

It is proposed to leave approximately 10 per cent of the tree to decline in its natural state.

Single lanes of the highway will be closed during the removal process which is scheduled to take place outside peak traffic times.

Toowoomba Regional Council will be undertaking the works scheduled to occur over two weeks from early March 2021.