We're Making History!

Bickleigh Vale village in its entirety is covered by a Heritage Victoria overlay. This is the first time Bickleigh Vale Road has been changed in approximately 100 years to create a new curve in the road and save our beloved Elm Tree. We think Edna would smile at the use of a curve. 

This old Elm is an original planting and has survived Elm Beetle (it is regularly treated by Yarra Ranges Council (YRC)) but was being regularly nudged by high trucks. Complaints from truck drivers and owners were made to council and it became clear we had the choice of a new curve or lose our tree - subject to Heritage Victoria agreement, of course. 

Yarra Ranges and their contractors created the new curve over three days this week - starting by clearing a wild patch of cotoneasters along the roadside which are something of a prolific 'weed' tree in the area but also a feature of Bickleigh Vale.

Next came the careful digging into the roadside verge watched by a constant stream of interested residents.

Finally, the topping was dropped in place and then spread and profiled to complete the 'Elm Tree Curve' - quickly followed by a delivery van traffic hurrying about its business!

The final stage will be planting out the area around the Elm tree which will be done by residents with the support of YRC. ​In the short term, there will be bollards left by YRC to ensure the curve is used correctly and the garden area is protected.

As you can see by the photographs, the area around the Elm Tree is now garden roadside verge and in due course it will be planted out with plants from “Roadside Management” planting list which will be organised, planted and maintained by the residents. 

It is difficult time of year to establish new plants but we didn’t have any choice when it came to the timing of the project so we'll mulch them and water them until the weather breaks and we get regular rainfall later in the year.

We need to emphasise that this is a new curve in the road to avoid the elm tree but NOT a road widening to assist vehicles to overtake each other - Bickleigh Vale Road is still a single lane road! 

Finally - a special "Thankyou" to Yarra Ranges Council and their team of staff and contractors who did a great job!