Crown Street Mall Trees Branch Out

Work has started this week on the removal of the timber and wire mesh tree guards that have protected the Crown Street Mall’s Japanese Elms and Weeping Lilli Pillis for the past three years.

The tree guards were installed around the 30 Elms and 4 Lilli Pillis when they were planted in the Mall in autumn 2018. The guards were always planned to be removed once the new trees were sufficiently established.

“Anyone who has been into the Mall lately will be able to see just how well these lovely trees are growing,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“I am pleased both species are thriving in the Mall and you can already see how they’re going to continue to offer welcome shade into the future. Not to mention, in the case of the Japanese Elms’, how they will provide us with a colourful autumn display.

“Where work has started in the Mall on the guard removal – you can see it’s already making a big difference. The Mall looks more open and less cluttered, which was always the intention. We just needed to protect the junior trees while they put their roots down.’’

The removal of the guards is being phased to minimise disruption to Mall users, retailers and business owners. The process involves taking out the existing timber posts and wire mesh around the tree and then installing metal guards at the base of the tree. All up, the work is expected to take about six weeks.

“I look forward to seeing the project finished with much clearer sightlines through the Mall,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“In the meantime, I thank everyone for their patience including those who visit the Thursday and Friday markets in the Mall as we’ve had to make some modifications to their layout to allow for the works.”