Health hazards have been identified on Military Rd in Neutral Bay Township but North Sydney Council will not remove them even though tree science prohibits them ever being planted there!

Recent studies have revealed that a non-native tree species already condemned and being phased out all over Australia because of its allergens, irritants and fungal disease can further worsen air quality when it is planted in high-traffic areas!

The dendrological (tree science) finding that the “plane tree” species are strong isoprene emitters highlights a conflict between their beneficial urban qualities (shade, aesthetic value) and their potential negative impact on air quality in high-traffic areas. This has prompted research into urban planning strategies, such as selecting and replacing those in high traffic and pedestrian areas with a low-emitting tree species immediately!

Q: Are all arborists taught dendrology as part of their course?

A: Yes and it tells them where they can and cannot plant certain tree species. 

Q: So where are Arborists not allowed to plant plane trees and have North Sydney Council (NSC) passed the test?

A: 1. Near Outdoor Dining: Trichomes and "button" fruit fibres frequently contaminate food and irritate patrons at street cafes. NO NSC FAIL!

2. Close to Buildings: Due to foundation risks, they should not be planted near structures, especially in clay-heavy soils. NO NSC FAIL!

3. Narrow Footpaths: Their trunk girth and root spread will inevitably outgrow narrow urban "planter boxes," leading to cracked infrastructure. NO NSC FAIL!

4. Hospitals and Schools: Areas with high concentrations of sensitive individuals (asthmatics or children) should avoid these trees to prevent respiratory exacerbations. NO NSC FAIL!

5. Drought-Prone Areas: Despite their toughness data shows cities like Sydney are phasing them out because they are vulnerable to extreme heatwaves and megadroughts, which cause them to drop their leaves prematurely and lose their cooling benefits. NO NSC FAIL!

6. High traffic areas: Due to high isoprene production. NO NSC FAIL!

Q: So how can it be that the North Sydney Council arborist has been allowed to ignore all the dendrological rules and plant the wrong trees all over Neutral Bay in fact all over North Sydney?

A: Stupidity! If one tree species dies they plant trees that are more resilient without considering the impact on the environment and this complete stupidity has been going on for years!

The NSW Education Minister has removed London Plane Trees from the Neutral Bay Public School after receiving the facts. I gave the same dendrology information to North Sydney Council but no action? 

 

 

Q: Are there anymore plane trees around the perimeter of the school that the Council refuse to replace?

A: Yes there are 6! 

Q: What is the safest action the Councils should take due to the health hazards these trees cause to animals and humans?

A: The EPA and Asthma Foundation agree that if Plane trees are located on or near busy pedestrian and vehicle/bus roads they should be replaced immediately because they are a health hazard. 

Q: What other reasons are there to remove these prolific organic polluters immediately from heavy pedestrian areas? 

A: The Plane trees billions of airborne pollen, spiky leaf irritants and seed dust and fibre irritants and fungal disease dust not only harm your health they also transport COVID 19 and other viruses from infected pedestrians to other pedestrians all year round and combine with vehicle emissions!

Q: Is there a safe distance from the COVID 19 carrying microscopic Plane tree dusts?

A: In a simulated outdoor gathering with a light breeze (4 km/h), pollen carrying the virus passed through a crowd of people in less than one minute, covering an area with a 20-meter radius.

Q: Does Plane tree pollen alone harm you or weaken your immune system?

A: Yes! Plane tree pollen contains biomolecules that, upon contact with the moist airway lining, can suppress the production of interferons (IFNs), which are crucial for the body's early defence against viruses. This diminished immune response makes it easier for viruses to infect cells and replicate.

Q: Does Plane tree fungal dust harm you?

A: Yes! If it can kill a Plane tree you are at risk of infection. You may notice sudden eczema on a part of exposed skin or worse sinus or throat infection.

Q: What happens when Plane trees are exposed to direct sunlight?

A: They produce a gas called “Isoprene” that is 2.35 times heavier than air!

Q: When do London Plane trees start to produce dangerous levels of this gas?

A: When the temperature exceeds 30C. The hotter it gets the more it produces until it cannot cope and many of the leaves die and drop all through spring and summer which has been happening in Neutral Bay Township!

Q: How often do temperatures exceed 30C in Australia?

A: In some places 125 times a year. Sydney 15-40 times a year!

Q: What does “Isoprene” react with that will harm animals and humans?

A: “Isoprene” reacts with “Nitrogen Oxides” from vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles like trucks and buses to produce “Ground Level Ozone” a carcinogen gas which is harmful to every living thing and it is 1.65 times heavier than air.

Q: Why is Military Rd Neutral Bay particularly dangerous for pedestrians?

A: The sole form of public transport is diesel buses and it is used by 100’s of diesel trucks daily too!

Q: Do London Plane trees produce more “Isoprene” than native trees?

A: Yes along with the constant dust and fibre respiratory allergen and irritants they produce up to 30 times more “Isoprene” than native trees!

Q: What does “Ground Level Ozone” do to humans?

A: Ground-level ozone can cause premature death from respiratory illnesses, and potentially a role in asthma development. Long-term exposure is associated with cardiovascular issues like strokes and has been linked to preterm birth and cognitive decline.

Q: How long does “Ground Level Ozone” linger once formed at a location?

A: About 22 days on average!

Q: Can “Ground Level Ozone” be cleared faster than 22 days on average?

A: Yes. 

1. Heavy rain can wash it away. 

2. Heavy wind can blow it elsewhere. But of course with wind this species will then release more of its irritants and allergens. 

3. Suitably sized ground level vegetation can absorb it but Military Rd Neutral Bay has none.

Q: Are London Plane trees even more dangerous when above awnings?

A: Yes! The pollen dust and irritant dust and fibres and anthracnose leaves that don’t make it to the ground store on the awnings and breakdown further into a microscopic powder which then becomes airborne with a gust of wind. 

Q: What can I do to prevent getting sick if I have to get a bus to work or work on Military Rd from September to March?

A: Wear a “carbon filter mask” everyday!

Q: Do asthma inhalers help if you are exposed to “Ground Level Ozone” (GLO)?

A: No very little! You must wear a “carbon filter mask” before entering any area likely to contain “GLO”!

Q: What does “GLO” do to London Plane trees?

A: “GLO” harms London Plane trees, and it can either increase or decrease their isoprene emissions, depending on the concentration and exposure duration. Acute exposure can stimulate isoprene release, while chronic exposure generally leads to a decrease malfunction and increase allergen and irritant drop!

Q: After the representation to the NSW Education Minister has she removed London Plane trees from other Schools in NSW ?

A: Yes.

Q: What reason did the North Sydney Council give not to remove the London Plane trees on high diesel traffic Military Rd in Neutral Bay Township?

A: “London Plane trees give good canopy.” That is 1 positive vs 5 negatives!

Below another rule broken by North Sydney Councils Arborists? A Plane tree planted on narrow footpath!

 

 

Q: Has anyone recently tripped up due poorly positioned Plane trees root causing a trip?

A: Yes. The elderly lady below had to go to hospital after she tripped over the roots of an old ill positioned Plane tree on Ben Boyd Rd.

 

 

Q: What does Asthma Australia have to say about London Plane trees on busy vehicle and pedestrian roads?

A: Asthma Australia recognises GLO as a major air pollutant that exacerbates asthma symptoms, leading to reduced lung function, and increased asthma attacks Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Council advise people with asthma to be aware of high ozone levels, especially during hot weather, and to take necessary precautions, such as using their inhalers wearing carbon filter masks and following their asthma action plans. Ozone is particularly concerning due to its link to other air pollutants and its role in climate change.

Q: Do Asthma Australia approve of London Plane trees on busy vehicle and pedestrian roads?

A: No and they should be removed!

Q: What does the EPA think about London Plane trees on busy pedestrian and vehicle roads?

A: London Plane trees can contribute to ozone formation in urban areas, as they emit isoprene, a type of volatile organic compound (VOC). In hot weather, this isoprene can react with nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhaust to create ozone, which degrades air quality. This is part of a larger issue of urban air pollution, though Sydney's decision to phase out plane trees is also based on their drought vulnerability.

Q: What is the solution?

A: The London Plane trees on Military Rd from Watson Street to Wycombe Road Neutral Bay should be removed next Winter.

Q: What safe trees can replace the Plane trees?

A: The native “Water Gum” is the best replacement for London Plane Trees on busy pedestrian and vehicle roads, and no it doesn’t need to be beside water as the name may suggest. In fact it is drought tolerant produces no isoprene, no irritants, no allergens and it absorbs pollution it does not store pollution like the London Plane Tree! Also being evergreen it absorbs pollution all year round and makes very little mess so the council and property managers have to do less maintenance.

Q: What other measures can the Council take to reduce “GLO” harm?

A: Ground-level pollution prevention methods like hedges may be better at mitigating ground-level air pollution than individual trees due to their lower height and dense foliage, which are closer to the source of pollutants!

Q: Why is there currently no suitable ground-level pollution prevention on Military Rd in Neutral Bay Township?

A: The person managing this at the Council is incompetent!

Q: Has anyone asked the Council for suitable ground level pollution prevention?

A: Yes! The Council has been asked multiple times and have been provided with the names of suitable plants. But instead we have the completely unsuitable vegetation below?

 

 

There are 14 London Plane trees within the busy township on Military Rd that need to be replaced next winter at the latest. 50% are juvenile Plane Trees so commonsense would suggest replacing them prior to them getting larger and becoming more dangerous and costing rate payers more to replace. 

The only other species of trees on Military Rd in Neutral Bay Township are Palm trees which remove pollution at ground level without polluting. A resident of 45 years told me he does not know why the Plane trees were planted, and they have been hated by everyone for years.

Q: Has the North Sydney Council stopped planting plane trees?

A: Yes I put a stop to it with the assistance of local MP Felicity Wilson early in 2025. Prior to involving her the Council Arborist had refused to stop planting them. 

 

 

 

 

 

OZONE 2 PLANE TREES REMOVED APRIL 2026 🥳

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Standard face masks used for COVID and the pollen and irritants from London Plane trees DO NOT work for Ozone you must use a mask with a carbon filter which will work for all!

So to recap why the London Plane Tree’s should never have been planted in Neutral Bay because they are a danger to pedestrian and property in the location. It goes without saying but clearly London Plane trees do not want anything near them or on them!

1. Spider shaped spiky leaf trichome irritants by the billions that can get caught in an animal or humans throat, eyes, nose and they also transport viruses and vehicle carcinogens into lungs! 
2. Seed irritant dust and fibres by the billions that can get caught in an animal or humans throat, eyes, nose and they also transport viruses and vehicle carcinogens into lungs!
3. Anthracnose a fungal dust by the billions that can decimate a Plane Tree and can cause multiple infections to animals and humans by entering skin, throat, eyes, nose and it also transports viruses and vehicle carcinogens into lungs!
4. Pollen dust by the billions that causes extreme respiratory discomfort to animals and humans by entering throat, eyes, nose and it weakens your immune system and it also transports viruses and vehicle carcinogens into lungs!
5. A carcinogen called Ground Level Ozone. The Plane tree produces 30 times more Isoprene gas than native trees and this mixes with hundreds of bus and truck emissions on Military Rd to cause early death to unsuspecting animals and humans, particularly dangerous in temperatures exceeding 30C and when boxed in under shop awnings where it can linger for days!
6. London Plane Trees fill business awnings with all the above so when it is windy they become airborne all over animals and humans.
7. Property maintenance is an expensive nightmare because of the constant leaf and allergen and irritant drop blocking gutters ruining business awnings and interiors, and this expense is passed onto the business owner who then passes it on to customers! The Plane trees on Military Rd Neutral Bay have not been maintained properly they mostly go far past the heights of the buildings.
8. Trip and slip hazards due to ridiculous positioning. 

So if you would rather not be exposed to toxins, allergen and irritants please sign and forward the petition and/or please inform others to be aware of the danger because the North Sydney Council do not care about children, adults or anything and this attitude must be fixed! 
Many people ask why would a Council plant deciduous trees on a high traffic road because pollution doesn’t stop in winter well they did start with evergreen trees Professor Armstrong a landscape architect academic states in an article by the ABC but way back in 1850’s the roads weren’t pathed so they planted deciduous trees so in the winter they would lose their leaves and sunlight would filter through and dry the muddy roads. Now we have pathed roads and Council still plants deciduous trees on high traffic roads this is how behind the times they are it is nearly 200 years 😵‍💫🔫.

Thank you.