640 people sign George St, Thebarton tree petition West Torrens Council is considering axing the plane trees on George St. Bill Rankine and Taya Saturn with their son Angus, 3, and local resident Kathryn Clark and her twins James and Mark, 2. ABOUT 640 people have backed a push to save 30 plane trees at Thebarton from the axe. A petition, signed by 643 people, has been sent to West Torens Council opposing a plan to remove the trees on George St, and replace them with watergums. The council had proposed removing the trees because the roots had been causing damage to the footpath and the branches were touching power lines. Head petitioner Kathryn Clark said residents clearly wanted the trees to stay. "The trees provide shade and give the street a sense of character and while we realise that some people do not like them, we feel the majority of people want them to stay," Mrs Clark said. Mrs Clark said she wanted the council to consider planting a tree for every second one already there and only removing the existing trees when the new ones had grown enough to provide shade and create an attractive streetscape. The Filsell St resident said the trees could be strategically placed and barriers could encircle their roots to ensure damage was not caused to the footpaths and overhead power lines. "There are examples throughout other councils where this has been a much cheaper and more attractive option," she said. Mayor John Trainer said the future of the trees was a divisive issue and it would be difficult to find a suitable compromise. "There is one group of people who want to keep the trees at all costs, another group who live in the area and have to deal with their footpaths and infrasturture being damaged and another group of 50,000 ratepayers who would have to pay for it to be maintained if they are not removed," Mr Trainer said. You would need the wisdom of (King) Solomon to make everybody happy in this instance. Council staff have begun considering ways to protect the George St pavement rather then uprooting the trees. Options such as root guards, which restrict where the roots can spread, and recasting the walkway away from the trees, are being investigated. Elected members will receive a report on the issue at an upcoming meeting and decide whether to retain or fell the trees.