‘Extreme’ pruning questioned

By Jeremy Sollars

The Warwick Horticultural Society has expressed its concerns for the future health of crepe myrtles on streets around the Rose City CBD which were recently pruned by the Southern Downs Regional Council.

The Society released a statement this week, after its monthly meeting, in which it described the pruning as “mutilation”.

“It was agreed to advise the council cutting of such magnitude could mean the death of many of these once-beautiful little trees, especially in a drought situation,” the statement said.

“As far as tourism goes the Rose City is now the ‘Stump City’ and will be for a very long time.

“The trees are known as Lagerstroemia Indica, more commonly as ‘Crepe Myrtles’ because of their crepe-like flowers and are the all-round perfect street tree.

“Their roots are not invasive, they need very little water and give marvellous displays when in flower, and have autumn tones as well as beautiful bark in winter.

“Many will be saddened by this latest civic vandalism – it certainly was not pruning.”

The Free Times sought comment from the Southern Downs Regional Council, who referred us to a media statement from late July.

The statement said pruning of the crepe myrtles had been due to start on Monday 30 July and was necessary due to many local street trees having “excess deadwood, large splits, crossing limbs, mistletoe and suckers”.

The statement said the work would “prolong” the life of the trees.

“Council’s winter pruning program may include other species of trees if required and all green waste produced during the pruning process will be reused once it is mulched in Council’s chipper,” the statement said.

“Crepe myrtles can be heavily pruned in winter to encourage the development of long, arching branches of flowers.

“The works are a part of Council’s ongoing commitment to the continual beautification of parks, gardens and open spaces across the region.”