Ash trees set to face

FOURTEEN dangerous mountain ash trees will face the chopping block this week.
The trees located at Grants Picnic Ground in Kallista have been recognised as a danger to the community following a routine report.
A further six trees have also been earmarked for limb removal.
Parks Victoria announced its plans for the tree removal last week following the release of an arborist report in May.
Ranger Matt Hoogland said Parks Victoria undertakes routine tree assessments across the state and that this latest report had highlighted a number of risks to the local community and visitors.
Mr Hoogland said the report had identified 20 trees that needed work, 14 of which were found to represent a significant risk to people using the busy picnic ground.
He said that Parks Victoria also had to strike a balance between providing access to its parks with protecting the natural environment.
Mr Hoogland said in doing this it was also essential to provide a safe environment for visitors.
He said that Grants Picnic Ground attracts more than 560,000 day visitors a year and that it was important to maintain the safety of the area.
“This tree management program must be undertaken to provide visitors with a safer experience,” Mr Hoogland said.
Work on the trees will start today (8 July) and is expected to take up to 10 days.
Parks Victoria has assured visitors that the picnic ground, including the Grants on Sherbrooke Kiosk, will remain open to the public.
However, areas where works are being conducted will be closed off for the safety of both the contractors and the public.
Parks Victoria staff will also be on site to direct people to safe parking areas within the picnic grounds.