The two giant sequoia trees in Hobart’s St David’s Park are being removed after failing to respond to repeated attempts to save them. Both trees, planted in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, are now sadly beyond saving.

The decline of the giant sequoias is said to be due to a combination of multiple impacts over the past two years—in­cluding repeated fires reaching the cano­py, contaminants and fire‑retardant foam entering the soil, removal of topsoil to address hazardous debris, soil compac­tion, irrigation leaks causing saturation, and the presence of fungal pathogens. “I’m sure the people of Hobart will be heartbroken by the news these two beautiful trees have died,” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said. “At just 88 years of age these giant sequoias were just babes in the woods. Giant sequoias can live to be over 3000 years old.

“Our arborist team have done every­thing they can to save these forest giants, including carrying out a three-stage soil microbiology treatment to try and breathe new life into the trees’ root system. The largest of the two giant sequoias is 32 metres tall and 8.6 metres wide around its base. The second was just behind it, standing 30 metres tall and measuring 8.7 metres circumference at its base.”

They will be replaced by two young giant sequoias. The wood from the two sequoias trees will be used in City of Hobart projects, including the new wa­terfront interpretation project. The City will also look for opportunities to repur­pose the wood in other ways, including for arts and cultural projects with the broader community. To stay up to date with the removal and replacement of these trees visit www.hobartcity.com.au/tree-giants.