Appendix B - Arborist Review · OPW20/0107

                                                                                   Consult Arborist

S IT E AN D T R E E R EV IE W
The property at 18 Hastings Street, known as Bay Village, is a large resort with commercial
retail and a pedestrian arcade that links into the Hastings Street precinct.

An existing Leopard tree is located within the pedestrian area and has for many years been
surrounded by a small garden bed created by timber edging. The tree’s health and condition
are assessed as being ‘Fair” with reduced vigour. This reduction in vigour is likely caused by
the coastal location, suppression by adjacent Council street tree, a Weeping Fig, lack of
available suitable rooting medium (soil) and the fact that its root zone is covered with large
tiles preventing moisture penetration.

Over recent months the timber edging has been removed due to movement and cracked tiles
have been removed to be replaced. The movement in the timber edging and tiles has been
caused by the tree’s surface roots, it is not unusual for trees to lift local landscape grade
infrastructure when positioned to close to the tree trunk and buttress roots.




                Figure 1: Google overview of the site location with subject tree circled


P R O PO S ED D E S I GN R E V IEW
The new design for the tree seat and sign has been designed to utilise the existing hard
surface with the new material being placed on top of the existing ground level. This design
aspect prevents the requirement for footings within the tree’s root zone. With a 1m radius or
2m diameter opening, the porous surface area will in fact be increased from the past timber
edging. It has been recommended that a shallow layer of a sandy loam is placed on the
existing surface and buttress roots to provide moisture retention material and a medium for
the planting of low ground cover plants.

With no requirement for circular footings or disturbance to the tree’s rooting area the design is
supported from an arboricultural perspective. If any minor trench is required for a short electric
connection, this will either be created by hand or with the use of a Hydro Vac excavator to
minimise root conflict. The percentage of surface root zone which may be affected is minimal
and works are not expected to negatively impact the tree’s current retention status.




20_06_26_AR_Bay Village_Tree Seating                                                       Page 2 of 4