TEN trees along the Keilor Village Streetscape will be removed as part of stage two of Brimbank Council’s plan to remove dead and structurally unsound trees in the area.

More than 20 trees will also be heavily pruned, which will dramatically change the current appearance of the trees which run along the Old Calder Highway.

The works are a continuation of a project that began last November in which nine trees were cut down.

The severity of the problem was identified in 2008 following the conduct of an independent arborist’s assessment of a number of tree lined areas in Brimbank.

Council said it had conducted a number of consultations to minimise the impact on local fauna and will time the tree removals for mid to late July 2009, before the next breeding season, particularly of those birds and mammals found to use the trees in the area.

Succession planting in the affected areas was undertaken in 2008 and will continue after the stage two works.

Council’s operations general manager Neil Whiteside said more trees were being planted than those removed in a bid to retain the current streetscape as much as possible.

The council described the lopping of trees as an “absolute last resort” but said it was necessary in some instances as a matter of public safety.

All households and traders in the area will receive letters in the mail this week with information explaining the reasons for the removal of the trees.

The letter will also invite residents to a community information session on Thursday 16 July from 12 noon until 6pm at council’s Keilor office to speak with council officers about the project. Removal of the next 10 trees is set to begin within weeks.