The Flecker Gardens, within the Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct, will be closed for three days from Monday 27 February to allow a large Kauri Pine to be removed.
The closure will include the Conservatory, Aboriginal plant use garden, Botanic Gardens Restaurant Cafe and Friends House. Other areas of the gardens, including the Visitor Centre and Tanks Arts Centre, will remain open to the public.
Council had hoped that the 35-metre-high tree would be removed by the end of last week (Friday 17 February), but a combination of extra preparatory works to ensure safety and wet weather has delayed the removal.
After extensive consultation and planning with the contractor, Council has now finalised a plan for its removal, which will require closure of the Cairns Botanic Gardens from Monday 27 February to Wednesday 1 March.
An assessment of the tree using tomographic scans and resistograph drilling confirmed decay, which had compromised the tree's structural integrity.
The tree has a large, two-metre-high wound that extends about a third of its circumference, as well as significant decay to about 45% of the root plate.
Council will also offer community groups the chance to obtain viable timber from the tree, via an expression of interest process through the Go Clubs program.
