Part of Kelvin Street in Invercargill be closed next week, while Invercargill City Council (ICC) Parks and Recreation staff remove trees along the western boundary of Queens Park, from Avenal Street to Guthrie Lane.

The trees, mostly pine and poplar and between 90 and 100 years old, have been identified as a hazard. 

This follows on from similar work completed in July 2021 and is guided by the ICC Tree Plan 2020 which details the council’s long-term strategy in managing trees throughout the city. 

Council Manager Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said Kelvin Street would be closed to traffic and traffic management would be in place during tree felling from Monday 4 July to Wednesday 6 July.

“Most of the trees being removed are around 90 to 100 years old and include predominantly pinus radiata and some poplars,” Rain said. 

The trees could pose a risk as due to their advanced age as they may potentially be rotten. 

“Some of the trees we removed last year were found to be rotten on the inside,” says Rain.

“They pose a degree of risk we are not happy with so we have chosen to remove them.” 

The area will be replanted with a replacement line of shelter with pine, macrocarpa and gum, which is in line with the ICC Tree Plan 2020. 

“These are trees that grow quickly to provide the necessary shelter to the park,” says Rain. 

“Behind this shelter line we will again be planting a secondary line of native shrubs and smaller trees along with specimen trees.”

Clean-up and chipping of residual wood is expected to take several weeks. 

Some residents of the area would be asked to vacate their homes for a short period while felling takes place, she said.