[SWP] Lot 14 (Old RAH Site)

[EBG]

I agree with Ho Really about the plane trees especially in Summer.

[Levesque]

Thought this view might be interesting to some, demolition on the old dental school on Frome Street . Note the Adelaidean behind

[PeFe]

Century-old North Tce trees set for axe in Lot 14 works
Eleven century-old trees along North Terrace are in danger of being chopped down and replaced with pavers, with both the State Government and Adelaide City Council’s administration pushing for their removal as part of the Lot Fourteen development.



Renewal SA – the State Government body in charge of transforming the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site into Lot Fourteen – has requested the healthy trees be removed so it can widen the North Terrace footpath and modify ground levels to create what it describes as a “seamless entry” to the site.

The eleven trees facing the axe include ten English elms and one plane tree lining the northern side of North Terrace from Frome Road to the front of the Bice Building.

Ten of the trees are regulated, with one listed as significant.

According to the council, the trees are expected to live to at least 2039 and hold a monetary value of $660,000.

A council paper sets out the positive aspects of the trees, yet ends with a recommendation they be removed.

The paper describes the trees as providing a “notable visual element to the locality”, with a “tolerable” level of risk to the public.

“The absence of any trees in the footpath to the east and the complete absence of any trees on the opposite footpath to the southern side of North Terrace highlights the importance of the contribution they make,” it states.

Full article : https://indaily.com.au/news/local/2019/ ... -14-works/

[SRW]

It's unfortunate but these elms and the ones in Prince Albert Garden (in front of Government House) all appear to be verging senescence. I'm not sure they'd survive too many more of our increasingly hot summers. If there's a chance they'll need replacing within 10 years, I think it's fair for them to be replaced now while works are being undertaken. If RenewalSA's truly aiming to extend the existing treatment of North Terrace through the Botanic Garden then, on balance, I support their proposal.

[Patrick_27]

It's unfortunate but these elms and the ones in Prince Albert Garden (in front of Government House) all appear to be verging senescence. I'm not sure they'd survive too many more of our increasingly hot summers. If there's a chance they'll need replacing within 10 years, I think it's fair for them to be replaced now while works are being undertaken. If RenewalSA's truly aiming to extend the existing treatment of North Terrace through the Botanic Garden then, on balance, I support their proposal.

Elms are among the sorts of trees that are struggling to adapt to the increasing extremes of the evolving climate. They don't do well going from extreme cold to extreme heat. Melbourne is having the same problems with their elms.

[Joelmark]

Reading the InDaily article it would appear that there's little justification for removing these trees. In past recent projects like Rundle Mall and Victoria Square the tree removal has resulted in a big improvement- in the case of Rundle Mall the almost 50 new elms are lush and green and much better than the 20 or so half dead planes and other species that were there before.
As SRW noted, the ash trees outside Lot 14 are similar to the group in Prince Henry Gardens by Government House that were planted in the 1920s plans and these were successfully retained in 2010 with the upgrade there.
I really think an effort shouldn be made to incorporate at least some of the old trees into the new design.
It always amazes me when you go to cities in Southern Europe - like Granada where I am at the moment - and see the effort they go to to keep their streets green - there's shady trees, plantings and flower beds absolutely everywhere. Adelaide has a broadly similar climate to these places and we could easily do a similar job to many of our streets and squares.
Moderators - perhaps it's time for a separate "greening" thread - a few of us on here have contributed opinions on trees, etc. that might be better off alone? Just a thought.

[Algernon]

Moderators - perhaps it's time for a separate "greening" thread - a few of us on here have contributed opinions on trees, etc. that might be better off alone? Just a thought.

There's a thread Id be up for. I spend my off days regreening a former communist backwater in central Europe one plant at a time

[how good is he]

Would these elms likely survive if dug out & transplanted elsewhere? Similar to what they do with date palms but I accept their root systems are very different. I also remember there was talk of a transplant for a historic Cork tree as part of the Norwood Coles re-development.

[SRW]

Would these elms likely survive if dug out & transplanted elsewhere? Similar to what they do with date palms but I accept their root systems are very different. I also remember there was talk of a transplant for a historic Cork tree as part of the Norwood Coles re-development.

I'm not an arborist, but I'd wager not a chance. They already appear to be under significant stress and at the end of their life span.

[bits]

I'm not an arborist, but I'd wager not a chance. They already appear to be under significant stress and at the end of their life span.

I thought an arborist has said these trees are healthy and will live to at least 2039.

[SRW]

I'm not an arborist, but I'd wager not a chance. They already appear to be under significant stress and at the end of their life span.

I thought an arborist has said these trees are healthy and will live to at least 2039.

A council report 'expects' them to have a lifespan until 2039 (which would be a normal range notwithstanding climate) but an 'independent' arborist commissioned by Renewal SA assessed them as being within 8 years of failure.

[EBG]

Demolition nearing end for this building,only the front wall and one bay of columns left holding up the front. Click on picture for bigger.

[Algernon]

Demolition nearing end for this building,only the front wall and one bay of columns left holding up the front. Click on picture for bigger.

That pile of red bricks would be worth a mint

[Ho Really]

That pile of red bricks would be worth a mint

Don't worry "The Serb" will make a dosh recycling them. Salvage can be a good business.

Cheers

[EBG]

Yes the demolition waste (as shown at the Frome site) is sold either as whole bricks or the rubble is sold as recycled fill to level sites.
A view from North Tce .The gate was open (picture taken with permission).