The dean of science at the University of NSW, Mike Archer, described planting exotic plane trees as "disastrous". "It's like putting in rabbits and saying they're pretty," he said. "It's like planting brick statues. Nothing eats them, no native birds go to them."

HE WAS IGNORED BY COUNCIL?

The choice, announced on Monday, was condemned yesterday by the Asthma Foundation's chief executive, Fiona Krautil, who said plane trees could trigger "an asthma emergency or a worsening of symptoms". "The evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, proves these trees can worsen the symptoms of people with asthma, hay fever and other allergies," she said.

SHE WAS IGNORED BY COUNCIL?

UNSW's Professor Archer said possible native candidates included the wheel of fire tree "with its glorious flowers", kanooka and pittosporum. Wollemi pines "would probably make ideal street trees", he said.

HE WAS IGNORED BY COUNCIL?

The Royal Botanic Gardens Trust's executive director, Tim Entwisle, described the trees as "a bit dull. 

HE WAS IGNORED BY COUNCIL?

The director of the South Australian Museum, Tim Flannery, was not available for comment, but in 2003 he declared that plane trees were "foreign weeds ... about as much use to our wildlife as concrete posts".

HE WAS IGNORED BY COUNCIL?

City of Sydney's arborist, Karen Sweeney, said "Native trees really don't handle it very well in the middle of the city," Ms Sweeney said. Natives died earlier and dropped branches on pedestrians and traffic.

THAT’S JUST LAZY & NEGLIGENT PERHAPS THE ARBORIST QUALIFICATION SHOULD BE REVIEWED AUSTRALIA WIDE SO THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC AND PROPERTY!