It’s an incredibly difficult time for the people of Tenterfield. They stand to lose up to half of their beloved oak trees due to safety related trimming in proximity to powerlines. In Tenterfield, the Tenterfield Council recently adopted a new urban tree management plan. This tree plan provides a visual representation of where the trees are and their overall health, focusing on the numerous pin oaks that line Clarence Street. Essential Energy has gone as far as expressing concerns over pin oaks, red oaks and cork trees. They are a “serious threat” to the electrical grid and have raised critical debates over how to respond to this growing threat.
It is the trees of Tenterfield that best encapsulates the town’s identity. They have become a magnet for visitors and photographers, particularly in the peak of their breathtaking autumn palette. The aging trees are raising alarms. Many of the pin oaks are approaching or at the end of their life expectancy of 100-150 years. Mayor Bronwyn Petrie acknowledged that the situation could have been better managed in the past, stating, “It is a risk thing for council, but this is so important to our identity.”
Heritage and Aesthetic Value
Local business owner Kerri Hampton said these trees were integral to Tenterfield’s heritage and appearance. “These trees are a critical part of our infrastructure and our economy,” she remarked. Hampton gave emotional testimony expressing her disappointment with lack of funding for tree protection initiatives. She further argued that preserving the town’s distinctive trees would immensely add to its aesthetic quality and attractiveness.
As Tenterfield moves into the breathtaking southern autumn, the town’s deciduous trees serve as colourful natural sentinels. They capture the deep social fabric and heritage that binds the people together. She emphasized that residents have been noticing the deterioration of trees for a while, and they know it’s happening. “Everyone has known about the degradation of these trees — they do have a life span in the vicinity of 100 to 150 years and we’re peaking into that period of time now,” she noted.
Community Sentiment
Cutting these trees has been understandably met with visceral reactions from residents. As we’ve reported, thousands have spoken out against any proposals that would plan for these treasured, historical landmarks to be removed. Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said she had received hundreds of emails from locals wanting to save the trees. I’ve heard from so many locals with deep connections who don’t want to see these trees cut down. They’re gorgeous, but two of them are coming to the end of their useful life,” she said.
Tenterfield’s Mayor echoed these sentiments, recognizing the community’s attachment to its arboreal heritage. It’s a highly charged topic,” she said, adding that though safety has to come first, so too does the preservation of the town’s character.
Future Considerations
The council had previously been advised not to plant pin oaks because of their high infrastructure risk, particularly to powerlines. Essential Energy has ruled out undergrounding powerlines in this flood-prone area. That’s quite a departure from their successful campaigns on Casino Road where undergrounding made sense. Mayor Petrie remarked on this decision, saying, “They have recently advised they will not underground the powerlines… which has worked magnificently.”
As discussions continue regarding the fate of Tenterfield’s iconic trees, both residents and officials face a difficult balancing act between ensuring safety and preserving what makes their town unique.
