The dead palm tree in front of Civic Hall has been removed suddenly.
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The top half of the tree was lopped off at some point on Wednesday.
It brings to an abrupt end a short-lived and unfortunate time in Ballarat for the tree, which never recovered from a fall that took place during its installation in November 2018.
It was part of a collection of three trees - described in a Heritage Victoria report as Canary Island Date Palms - which were installed on the Doveton Street North side of the Civic Hall in spring 2018 as a major renovation of the building came to an end.
Shortly after the trees' transportation from Echuca, where they were removed due to a major bridge construction project, the tree at the most northerly end toppled over towards Civic Hall.
No-one was injured, but the council installed supports around all the trees as a result of the incident.
However, in October last year, the City of Ballarat confirmed the tree had died.
The palm tree's former location:
The other two trees remain in place.
The City of Ballarat's director of infrastructure and environment Terry Demeo said the trunk remained on site so a crane could attach itself to pull out the root system.
A replacement palm tree, described in a council statement as "a good match in size and shape" to the others, has been donated by a local resident.
It is due to replace its predecessor in late April/ early May.
A potted history of Civic Hall palm trees
Smaller palms arrived first. They have kept a lower profile than their Doveton Street North counterparts.
November 8, 2018:Palm trees cause headaches for commuters
The trees complete the journey from the north of the state and are planted.
Less than 24 hours after installation, over it goes.
November 2018: Questions asked over costs of transport/ fall
Transport for the palms confirmed $16,000 with VicRoads meeting a portion of those costs.
October 2019: City of Ballarat confirms Civic Hall palm tree has died
The journey and the trauma of the fall proved too much for the tree. The council confirmed its death following several independent arborists telling The Courier they thought the tree was on its way out.
February 2020: Ballarat Civic Hall's dead palm tree not going anywhere
March 2020: Palm tree is removed
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