News

Removal of Sugar Gum at Fleming Park

2 June 2025

We need to remove the Sugar Gum tree on the Albion Street side of Fleming Park in Brunswick East.

Over the past 9 years, council arborists have been keeping an eye on this tree in terms of its health and condition and have been advocating for its survival. The timeline below shows the reports and inspections that have been completed showing an overall deterioration. Unfortunately, the final decision was to remove this tree.

Timeline of reports

  • Timeline item 1 - active

    March 2016

    Contractor inspection – Large deadwood removal required.

  • Timeline item 2 - active

    February 2023

    Internal Inspection – Concerns about the tree integrity and dead limbs.

  • Timeline item 3 - active

    October 2023

    External Inspection – Safety concerns were highlighted. The Tree was displaying fair health and poor structure.

    A crown reduction (canopy thinning) was undertaken and Picus test carried out. This indicated the density of the heart wood showing internal decay. Officers also attempted to reduce the compaction of soil around the tree.

  • Timeline item 4 - active

    November 2023

    External Inspection – once again safety concerns were raised and the external inspection recommended deadwood removal.

  • Timeline item 5 - active

    ​August 2024

    External Inspection request – the external inspection recommended deadwood and further canopy reduction.

  • Timeline item 6 - active

    October 2024

    Internal Risk assessment carried out advised of significant consequences and as such further recommendations were to remove the tree.

  • Timeline item 7 - active

    ​March 2025

    Contractor Inspection – the Tree’s poor health highlighted multiple trunk wounds and deadwood. The final decision was to remove the tree based on continued decline.

Frequently Asked Questions

A test that measures the density of wood using soundwaves.

The Elms are the oldest trees in Fleming Park. We believe that this Sugar Gum was likely planted in the 1940’s. At that point the Elms were already well established.

Sugar Gum is not indigenous to this area although it is a native.

Officers have planned to leave the largest cutoffs from this tree to leave in this space. The final decision on where and which parts, may not be able to be decided until the Contractors start. We’d be keen to ensure whatever is left behind is able to be the beginning of a habitat. Mulch will complete the area.

The fence will be replaced to continue along the Albert St side of the park.

Officers have considered replacing the one Sugar Gum with 2 trees either side of the original one. The species is still being decided.