A number of trees, independently assessed by arborists as terminal, will be removed in Centennial Park in the coming weeks to improve safety for park visitors and the amenity of the parklands.
There will be some impacts for visitors in relation to access and noise and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. We ask visitors to take extra care in the area assure you that with every tree removal there are new plantings in their place.
E.S Marks Athletics Field – removal of trees – 14 to 16 December
An independent arborist has assessed that 15 trees on the Boronia Street side of the facility are in poor condition and in need of removal. The tree removal will have no impact on visitors accessing the filed and will be removed over two days.
Tree replacement: Their removal will allow for the whole site to be landscaped effectively following as part of the upgrade to the facility. New plantings will include a combination of a combination of larger, mature trees, grasses and flowering plants. Find out more about the proposed upgrade to E.S Marks Field
Removal of a fallen tree at The Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden – Thursday 25 November 2021
Reason for the removal: The tree has fallen down and will be removed for public safety. The Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden will be closed today (25 November 2021).
Removal of 3 Coral Trees near the Duck Pond – Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 December 2021
Reason for the removal: Trees are in terminal decline and have been assessed by an arborist as needing to be removed due to the public safety risk of limb failure.
Location: Two of the trees are located on the edge of the Duck Pond with the third located closer to Grand Drive on the Lang Road slopes.
Impacts: Pedestrian access will be restricted near the tree removal area and visitors can expect to hear machinery noise as the trees are removed.
Removal of trees in the Column Garden 12 October to 19 November 2021
From 12 October all the Tibouchinas in the Column Garden will be removed.
Reason for removal: A heavy rainfall event earlier in the year caused the Column Garden to be flooded for over five days. The flooding affected a number of plants in the Garden with significant impact to the Tibouchinas who lost all their leaves, and have been assessed by independent arborists as being unable to survive.
Impacts for park users: Fencing will be in place around the area to protect visitors from the works which will be completed by 19 November.
Tree replacement strategy – Six new trees (Pyrus calleryana cv “Bradford”) will be planted in their place (see photo) to provide a more open and inviting entrance to the Column Garden. Old tree pits will be removed with new tree pits being installed. Over 200 new trees have been planted across Centennial Parklands since January this year – find out more about the new plantings.
Tree trimming and deadwood removal on Carrington Drive – Thursday 21 October
Carrington Road will be completely closed to traffic, on Thursday 21 October, to allow for our arboriculture team to undertake tree trimming and deadwood removal over the roadway. The works are being done in preparation for the return of Moonlight Cinema to the parklands to ensure the safety of visitors.
Location of works: Carrington Road as well as the roadway next to the Superintendents Cottage
Impacts for park users: Carrington Road will be closed to cars and there will be alternate pedestrian and cycle access paths in place.
Hours of work: 6.30am to 3.30pm
Removal of Port Jackson figs on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 October 2021
Two Port Jackson fig trees in Centennial Park are now in the late stage of terminal decline and despite years of health treatment programs, both trees must be removed to protect the Park’s visitors and inhabitants.
In preparation for their removal, Greater Sydney Parklands’ horticulture experts have planted 36 new, Port Jackson figs in various locations along Grand Drive. The Parklands have anticipated the aging trees in this area, including these two failing figs, will eventually need replacing.
Over the past three years, treatments applied to the trees include supplementary carbohydrates and plant tonics, but the figs have continued to decline. Their failure has resulted in deadwood, reduced leaf coverage and they will not survive. To protect the safety of our Parkland visitors, the figs trees will be removed over two days, on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 October from the horse track.
Where are the trees exactly? Both trees are located on Loch Avenue adjoining Grand Drive near Randwick Gates (see map below)
How will visitors be impacted by the removal?
Cars will still be able to access Grand Drive and Loch Avenue. Pedestrians will be provided alternate access which will be clearly signposted. There will also be machinery noise audible. Horse riding will be restricted between the intersection of Parkes and Grand Drive north and the Equestrian Grounds.
Read more on our plans for tree replacement and new planting in our Centennial Parklands Tree Planting Program webpage.
Thirty six mature Port Jackson figs have been planted along Grand Drive in the last three years, as part of a succession planting program to ensure the historic character and features that make Centennial Parklands unique are preserved into the future. These 200L
Ficus rubiginosa have been sourced from specimens grown at the University of NSW, to keep the trees as locally endemic as possible. The trees were contract grown especially for Centennial Parklands.