The stand of trees known as St Alban’s Grove, planted in 1993 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Anglican parish, have been removed to make way for the new trees.

Muswellbrook Shire Council’s recreation manager Stuart Neal said the council had consulted with the Muswellbrook Anglican diocese and any trees from the grove which could be moved had been replanted at the church parish or Muswellbrook cemetery.

“We are re-landscaping with the installation of drought tolerant native and low-growing plants,” Mr Neal said.

Mr Neal said the work was part of the council’s entry way upgrade and was expected to be completed by mid-July.

He said the changes would reduce the need for mowing the median strip in the middle of the highway, which would mean less risk to council staff.

The St Alban’s Grove signs will be kept and repainted.

St Alban’s Reverend Brian Gibbs confirmed the parish council had unanimously accepted the council’s plans to replace the grove with an avenue of crepe myrtles.

He said by keeping the original signs, the spirit of the original idea was retained.

The 150 trees originally planted at the grove were planted in memory of Anglican parishioners who had died, with trees donated by family members or local citizens.

Rev Gibb said one of the parishioners had come up with the idea of creating a grove at another public place in town where people would be able to interact with it, which they had not been able to do at the grove on the highway.

“The idea is out there and it is an idea I am interested in pursuing. It’s an exciting proposition.”