Action must be taken to protect one of Perth’s best loved parkland spaces, according to Councillor Peter Barrett.
The tree-lined avenues of Edinburgh Road and Marshall Place are an integral feature of the South Inch and Mr Barrett said he was calling for more information after it emerged that a number of large trees are to be felled after falling prey to flooding and decay.
“There are eight trees to be removed for a variety of reasons from the South Inch,” said Mr Barrett. “This seems like a substantial number of large trees having to be felled in one go and I want to find out from the council’s trees and woodlands officer whether there are particular issues which are threatening the survival of major tree specimens in the South Inch.
“I also want to know whether action is required to protect the remaining trees.
“Some of the trees to be removed have been affected by flooding and poor drainage. There are two large lime trees close to the rail tunnel one suffering from basal decay and another which has suffered dieback due to flooding and poor drainage and there is an oak tree about 100m further along the burn on the southern edge of the South Inch .
“At the southeast corner of the South Inch, close to the Edinburgh Road, there is another large lime with a cavity in its base and also an oak with basal decay. Halfway down the Edinburgh Road there is a sycamore with basal decay which will have to be removed and at the northern edge of the inch there is a decaying purple plum tree half way along Marshall Place .”
The South Inch has always been an area of open land for the enjoyment of the townspeople.
Although golf is now only played on the North Inch, the South Inch was once the site of an early course in the city.
In more recent times it has been events such as Perth Show and highland games. Football is played on the lesser South Inch though the park’s bowling green has closed in recent years.
There has been considerable investment in recent years in play equipment which is a popular draw for families.
