BUNNINGS is in the doghouse for axing 19 trees from its sprawling Myaree carpark and sending them to the chipper.

Former councillor Susanne Taylor-Rees went down to the local hardware giant this week to buy some DIY goodies and was confronted by a shadeless carpark.

A Bunnings spokesperson says the roots of the 15-year-old Tipuana Tipus were lifting up kerbs—causing a safety issue for customers—and will be replaced with large Chinese pear trees this week.

Ms Taylor-Rees says the pear trees are being planted in 1×1 metre concrete pots that restrict growth and stop them providing adequate shade.

“I’m gobsmacked that Bunnings, a billion-dollar company, didn’t have the finances to save those trees, or at least bring in an arborist to take a look at what could have been done,” she says.

• Susanne Taylor-Rees beside the remains of 19 trees removed by Bunnings. Photo by Stephen Pollock

“The trees were just about to reach maturity and now they’re gone—why didn’t they properly research what type of trees to put in in the first place?

“Any why didn’t they replace the trees with a WA or Australian native, instead of a Chinese tree in a one metre pot.

“With Masters pulling out, and the independent hardware stores all but gone, it’s not like Bunnings don’t have the finances and time to do these things properly and with care.”

Ms Taylor-Rees says she hadn’t received answers to her queries when she spoke to store management and head office in Victoria earlier in the week.

When the Chook turned up to take a photo of her in the store carpark, a manager scampered out to ask what we were doing and to have a chat.

He patiently listened to Ms Reeves and said Bunnings had recently contributed to tree planting programs in the area.

BREAKING NEWS: Bunnings is going to investigate planting natives instead of Chinese pears.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK