Dozens of mature trees at Mount Burr are facing the axe in the interests of safety and roadworks.

Wattle Range Council has earmarked 32 trees on Thomas Drive for felling and is currently seeking feedback from the local community.

Some of the towering trees are estimated to be 80 years old and were planted in the earliest years of the township.

Council appointed an arborist to examine the trees ahead of work on upgrading the service roads which run parallel to the main Thomas Drive thoroughfare and are opposite the timber sawmill which closed in 2000.

Although some of the trees are healthy, their presence will provide difficulties for the road upgrades.

Mount Burr resident Lin Atkinson has literally grown up in the shadow of these trees as he arrived in the town as a two-year-old in 1949 with his family.

He well remembers the days when present-day Riddoch Avenue was native scrub.

“We came from Angaston as my dad got a job in the mill,” Mr Atkinson said.

“Our first house was where the nursey was and I went to school at Mount Burr.

“My first job at the age of 15 was at the Mount Burr Mill.”

Although his subsequent varied working life as a labourer and truckdriver took him across the Millicent district, Mr Atkinson has called Mount Burr home.

He said Wattle Range Council had no choice about the dangerous trees.

“When they start dropping limbs, you have to either heavily prune them or chop them down,” Mr Atkinson said.

“The trees are particularly dangerous when you have a cold snap and a hot day together.”

Council considered a staff report about the trees and the roadworks at its October monthly meeting in Millicent and resolved to undertake formal consultation with the Mount Burr community.

“While carrying out detailed designs for the upgrades to two of the service roads, Wattle Range Council staff noted a number of trees that pose potential risks to the construction and longevity of the upgraded service roads, as well as a public safety risk to road users,” stated the staff report.

“Council’s arborist has completed an assessment of the current condition and potential safety hazards of the trees on the two service roads.

“The assessment report highlights the majority of the cypress pines along Thomas Drive are in poor to average health and are nearing end-of-life.

“It is recommended these trees be removed and replaced with Claret Ash trees to continue the avenue planting that has been started along Service Road 2.

“The proposed tree removal will significantly reduce the risk of old and poor condition trees dropping limbs or falling onto nearby residences or vehicles.

“Sight distances along Thomas Drive and particularly entering from the service roads will also be improved.

“From an infrastructure perspective, construction and maintenance of the new road and kerb will not be impacted by roots from the very large trees. This will also ensure the assets will remain in a good condition in the foreseeable future.

“Should the trees not be removed, there is a high likelihood the roots will impact on the new kerb and road pavement.”

Council staff discussed the tree felling proposal on Friday with Mount Burr storekeepers George and Rosie Copelin.

They anticipate Mayor Des Noll will also visit their premises to obtain community feedback.