Fremantle: two unwell fig trees in Kings Square to be removed

FREMANTLE council decided to replace two sick Moreton Bay fig trees in Kings Square at a council meeting last night .

The council requested the wood from the trees would be available for community reuse.

In a community consultation, 73 per cent were in favour of replacing the Christmas tree and 69 per cent in favour of replacing the other tree.

A report given to council said there was overall support to remove both trees now rather than manage the public risks associated.

“The Kings Square Redevelopment Project provides an opportunity to replace these trees with two new mature trees,” the report said.

“The replacement of No.5 with a London plane tree should be prioritised to complete the recent tree location works.

“The replacement of tree No.4, the ‘Christmas tree’ with another Moreton Bay Fig may take longer to source an appropriate tree.”

A move to replace the Christmas tree with a black pallet tree was discussed over worries that finding a fig tree would be expensive.

Both south ward councillors Andrew Sullivan and Jon Strachan voted against the motion.

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said expert technical advice was that both trees are in a state of irreversible decline.

“Our focus will now shift to sourcing suitable replacement trees – a mature London plane tree to replace the fig to the south of St John’s Church and a mature Moreton Bay fig to replace the tree we all know as the ‘Christmas Fig’,” he said.