THE giant stump that was once the largest tree in the Cave Gardens precinct was removed this morning and will be replaced with a new tree on Monday.
The 20m high claret ash tree was split in two during extreme winds in late March with only the trunk of the 80-year-old tree left standing.
Mount Gambier City Council previously considered carving the stump into a public art piece but ultimately decided to replace the tree.
The stump weighed a whopping three tonnes.
Council will retain the timber until its public art strategy is completed before making a final decision on the use of the timber.
Many of the larger branches of the tree were also retained and are being held at council’s depot.
Mayor Andrew Lee, former Cave Gardens caretaker Fred Robinson, current Cave Gardens caretaker Jamie Pearson and children from the Mount Gambier Child Care Centre will plant a new tree on Monday morning.
