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The line of trees before they were chopped down on Saturday morning. Photo: Poshey Aherne
A LOCAL Green Party representative has questioned the decision by Kerry County Council to remove trees along the Dan Spring Road at the weekend during nesting season.
The removal of the poplar trees was described as “deeply concerning” by Tralee GP representative Anne-Marie Fuller. She has also called for the replanting of native trees in their place along the stretch of road adjacent to the Tralee Harriers grounds.
The trees were cut down after two separate arborists were asked by Kerry County Council to assess the trees.
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How the road looks now with the trees removed. Photo: Poshey Aherne
Both arborists came to the conclusion that the trees had come to their “end of life” and there were safety risks to the public. The trees are to be replaced in the coming weeks with alternatives including Hornbeam and Turkish Hazel.
Under the Wildlife Act, the cutting, burning, or destruction of hedges is restricted during nesting and breeding season between March 1 and August 31, in order to protect nesting birds, except for certain exemptions.
Anne Marie Fuller believes the action is sending out the wrong message to landowners.
“We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis and the local authority, which should be setting an example, is cutting trees five days into the nesting season,” she said.
“Felling is causing huge distress to local residents and some effort to replant speedily is essential to promote wellbeing and alleviate air pollution which has long term health implications. Before any tree is cut for safety reasons, the Council should be ready with replacements. This is a busy road but it’s a place where people walk for recreation, children are going to school and athletes are training. Replacement planting should be done quickly and, of course, be done with native trees.”
“It’s frustrating that the Government is trying to encourage tree planting, while local authorities are taking this very cautious approach to storm damage,” says Green Party activist Cleo Murphy.
“The reason we’re having more storms is because of our carbon emissions and to counteract the emissions, we need to be planting more trees – not chopping them down. I’m calling on Kerry County Council to avail of the Woodland Creation on Public Lands Scheme and get native Irish trees planted on council land.”
