RESIDENTS of a Mooroolbark street are furious 18 mature trees were chopped down to make way for a new housing development.

Gordon Court resident Kerry Swift said residents wrote to Yarra Ranges Council about two months ago when two houses, at 26-27, were sold.

In the letter seen by the Leader, residents said they were concerned about the future of a resident population of tawny frogmouths and asked that the quiet, family-friendly amenity of the area be considered.

But on Monday, October 8, Mr Swift said he was devastated when the tree loppers arrived early in the morning and by Tuesday all 18 trees were down.

Should a permit be needed for mass tree removal like this? Tell us what you think below.

"We were so upset seeing the trees come down and birds - including the tawny frogmouths - flying around everywhere," Mr Swift said.

"It's such a mess now - an environmental nightmare.

"Those trees were 60 maybe 100 years old and were there for everyone.

"Why did they have to cut down all of them?"

Mr Swift said he felt annoyed that there was nothing that could be done about his street but wanted to warn other residents.

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Should permits be required for mass tree removal?

Emerald ash borer might make its way soon to Independences tree population if it isnt already here and city officials should be prepared for the green beetles potential impact on tree removal, and ultimately, the citys budget.

In Missouri emerald ash borer was first discovered in 2008, but this year, it also was located in Clay and Platte counties, meaning the green beetle that kills all ash trees will likely hit Jackson County and Independence soon, said Independence Tree Commission chairman and certified arborist Gordon Shaw on Monday night.

We expect the emerald ash borer will be in Jackson County and in the city of Independence relatively soon, Shaw told the City Council. It could be here already.

Native to Asia, emerald ash borer was first discovered in the U.S. in Detroit a decade ago and has since spread to 16 states, Shaw said. While it is not a threat to human health, the beetle destroys all ash trees vascular systems, and if it is located in firewood transported from one place to another, it can spread hundreds of miles.

Because of emerald ash borer potentially moving in Independence, the Tree Commission developed a list of recommendations for the city. The beetle could potentially infect hundreds, if not thousands, of area trees, which would need removal. Now, Independence Parks and Recreation removes roughly 40 trees each year.

First, Shaw said, the city should perform an urban tree inventory to determine the ash tree population in Independence, a figure now unknown. The inventory includes location, number and condition of ash trees.

We know that the emerald ash borer really affects trees that are declining it affects those first, Shaw said.

Next, the city should apply for a Missouri Department of Conservation TRIM grant, a matching funds program (up to $25,000) used for urban tree inventory. This would give city officials a better understanding of what the emerald ash borer would financially cost Independence, Shaw said.

We just want the City Council to be aware that when budget talks come up that there may be some additional costs coming for tree removal and tree replacement, Shaw said.

Mayor Don Reimal asked how removed trees are disposed to prevent transmission of the beetle to other disease-free trees. Joe Knoll, the citys interim parks and grounds manager, said if the removed tree are chipped smaller than 1 inch, the beetles should be destroyed.

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City urged to prepare for battle against green beetle