Keep iconic oaks

Having lived for some nine years in Alford Street, Warragul I read the article about our tree-lined street with great interest (Gaz 21/3).

I can only agree with the description of the large oaks in the eastern half of the street as 'iconic'.

This is the only treed avenue like this in Warragul and it is a rarity in towns throughout Victoria.

Minor irritations caused by the trees need to be kept in perspective. Falling leaves and acorns last only a few weeks of each autumn and are well managed by council street sweepers during this period.

The volume of leaves and acorns will not be reduced by pruning and any tripping hazard can be easily controlled. The hazard is far worse under the many liquid ambers about town.

I also believe the trees have been inspected by power companies and no issues have been raised.

The trees greatly increase the value of all the nearby properties and any 'maintenance', if or when necessary, should be kept to the bare minimum and only undertaken by a qualified arborist, not a power company employee with a chain-saw.

I also note that the oaks are deciduous and do not darken the street during winter as suggested by Cr Danny Goss. I suggest he visits the street in mid-summer and sees the trees in their full glory.

Protect our iconic trees at all costs, learn to live with the small irritations of a few leaves and acorns and look forward to a majestic spring.

Michael Gleeson, Warragul