Stop Yarra Council Chopping Down Our Elms

     Yarra City Council has voted to cut down three of our Dutch elms and put a fourth at risk of dying due to root disturbance. They have decided to sacrifice these elms for the sake of two new tennis courts.

     Our cities need more trees, not fewer. Our three elms are always cleaning our air, providing homes for insects, birds, bats and possums, and beauty and shade for us.

     These elms are each 140 years old with an average life span of 300 years. The have seen so much of our history and should be allowed to go on to outlive us all. Contrary to council’s claims, our independent arborist says these three trees are healthy and set to live for another 160 years. 

    Thousands of people use the park compared to the small number who use the courts. It is therefore unfair to privilege the tennis club over the park users who come to the park to enjoy the trees and green spaces.

We will present the results of this survey to:

Yarra City Council

Heritage Victoria

Victorian State Government

     Melbourne has the largest population of Dutch elms in the world because Dutch elm disease wiped out most of the elms in Europe.  These trees are not only precious to us but to the whole world.