Elm Avenue is an iconic and much-loved site in the Albury Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, the trees are at the end of their Useful Life Expectancy (ULE) and require replacement. This project provides background information and project status.
The Albury Botanic Gardens Master Plan 2022-2042 was endorsed by Council in June 2022. One of its main priority projects is to replace the declining elm trees that make up Elm Avenue and create a new double perennial border, which will be one of the longest in Australia.
Elm Avenue is an iconic and much-loved site in the Albury Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, the trees, some of which are over 140 years old, are in serious decline and at the end of their useful life. Independent arborist reports have indicated that "all trees have fair health and poor structure" and need to be removed.
To address this issue, the trees will be replaced with more resilient species. The council has developed a plan to replace the elms with advanced ginkgo trees, which are more climate resilient and still display incredible yellow autumn color, ensuring the avenue remains a beautiful and cherished part of the gardens.
A total of 24 trees along the northern boundary of the Albury Botanic Gardens were assessed, revealing that they are in 'Good' to 'Fair' health but have 'Fair' to 'Poor' structure. The southern row of trees is generally in better condition than the northern row. Poor pruning practices in the past have led to a reduction in the Useful Life Expectancy (ULE) of the trees.
As part of their natural lifecycle, these trees, around 140 years old, are now in the senescence phase, indicating a decline in health post-maturity. Consequently, many trees within Elm Avenue are nearing the end of their lifespan and will need removal in the short to medium term.
Based on the advice received, the council has developed a strategy for the removal and replacement of these trees, considering their historical and social significance.
It is proposed to replace the elm trees with an avenue of advanced ginkgo trees, which are more climate resilient than elms, but which still display incredible yellow autumn colour. The plan also includes the establishment of a new double perennial border beneath the trees, which will be one of the longest in Australia and will be in keeping with the heritage value of the Botanic Gardens.
The project aligns with Action 4 of the Botanic Gardens Master Plan:
Action 4
Replace the elms to secure The Avenue’s long-term place in the landscape:
- Extract from the Botanic Gardens Master Plan
10 May 2024
Refined concept designs have been developed by GbLA which provide more details of The Avenue and the planting palette.
16 February 2024
Consultants have been engaged to progress the detailed design of replacing the avenue of elms with ginkgoes and associated landscaping.