The Norwood Cork Tree

Photos taken this morning, 27 December 2021.

The cork tree now looks in good condition with new foliage.

Photos taken today, 12th November 2021, show the cork tree with fresh green foliage. 

New growth can be seen on the cork tree in early November 2021, together with some flowers. These photos were taken on 6th November.

 The Construction Director, Rick Capaldo, for the redevelopment of the Coles site, advises 't he tree seems to be in the regeneration phase as it drops its leaves and re-grows.   We will monitor the progress over the next month (as we are at the beginning of the warmer weather) and then have it inspected by an arborist to ensure that our maintenance is tracking to plan.'   Photo was taken 23rd October 2021

I photographed the Norwood Cork Tree this afternoon, 23 October. There appears to be significant loss of leaves. I was unable to get close enough to see detail, but the photos look different from those taken a month ago. I have queried its condition with the site developers.

Photos taken from George Street at the beginning of October 2021

Excavation work proceeds. Portable buildings have now been erected around the site and digging machines are constantly at work. Screening around the property has been strengthened.  Some views of the tree appear below.

Demolition seems to have been completed on the site and a large number of portable facilities erected. Owing to the extra screening on the site boundary it was more difficult to photograph the cork tree.

Digging for the new centre is now underway, huge trucks pounding up and down Edward and George Streets. The asphalt remains between the cork tree and Edward St.  I took this photo today.

Photos from 19 July of the construction work on the Coles site around the Norwood Cork Tree.

The River Red Gum on the Coles site is also being preserved by the developer. This photo was taken on Wednesday 7 July 2021, near sunset.  

Digging has commenced for the new development on the Coles site. But the Norwood Cork Tree and the River Red Gum are both growing and flourishing.

Work proceeds clearing the devopment site.

 Photos of the Norwood Cork Tree in April 2021. The developer advises the following:  "We have certainly been implementing our maintenance program for the Cork Tree as per instructions from the council arborist as detailed below. We will be providing additional mulch again this week and continuing with our weekly watering cycle and monthly Sea-Sol application.   WATER TREE ONCE A WEEK ON A SEVEN DAY CYCLE – around 150-200 litres at a time PROVIDE ‘COTTAGE MULCH’ – around 4 cubic metres PROVIDE SEA-SOL IN THE WATER AROUND ONCE A MONTH"

The developer, APD, has started work on the cork tree site. It is expected the project will take two years to complete. Protective fencing has been erected around the cork tree.

The development of the site will start on 1 March 2021 and is scheduled to finish in March 2023.  I have been advised of the following arrangements by Australasian Property Developments for the care of the tree during the construction period. WATER TREE ONCE A WEEK ON A SEVEN DAY CYCLE – around 150-200 litres at a time                 PROVIDE ‘COTTAGE MULCH’ – around 4 cubic metres                 PROVIDE SEA-SOL IN THE WATER AROUND ONCE A MONTH   The above will start on site from this coming Monday / Tuesday and will continue on till the construction phase of project ends, when a fully operational irrigation system will be installed   We also note that temporary fencing will be provided around the tree roots zone during construction  

According to the letter from the developer APD, work will commence on 1 March and the whole site will be fenced off. Work will continue on construction for the next two year until March 2023. There is no mention of any plans for the cork tree during that period and access to the site will be restricted. The only link I have is to Facebook Norwood Residents Association  letter from the developer

All the shops have now closed.  I photographed some smaller dead branches on the cork tree, indicating that the tree may be under some stress. The long period with a broken watering system and relying mostly on rain alone is causing problems.  The new owner Australasian Property Developments  I have been told will now take possession of the site on 1 March. Then the place will become a building site for around two years. We await news of watering arrangements for the next two years.  Cork trees in their natural habitat are under increasing stress because of climatic changes and the same stressors apply here.

Shops on the Coles development site are already vacant or have posted notices that they are moving to other addresses. The newsagent will close on 15 January.  It appears that action on the site is planned soon. Perhaps in February 2020? Here are some pictures of the cork tree  taken today, 3 January 2020.