During the week of August 17, 2026, many Battery Point residents noticed that a large tree in the garden of the beautiful Grande Vue Private Hotel in Mona Street was being cut down and removed from the property. It was an astonishing spectacle.

The tree was a mature Bhutan cedar, approximately 20 metres tall with a trunk diameter of around one metre. An arborist’s report found that it had suffered significant dieback, with less than 5% of the crown supporting live foliage. Sadly, it was not expected to recover, and removal was considered necessary to avoid potential danger to people and nearby structures. As a consequence, Heritage Tasmania approved its removal.

Grande Vue’s Owner Ash Fleming contracted the Hobart Arbor Company to undertake the work. A team of four men worked assiduously for three days to complete the job. Owner Tom said that the work was technically difficult, mainly because of the limited access to the site and the volume of the tree.

Passers-by were impressed by the actions taken by the workers to avoid damage to the garden and adjacent streetscape. In particular, they noted the consummate skill of the arborist operating a chainsaw in the tree. Using only ropes, he carefully planned each step from the lower branches to the top, removing limbs, which were lowered with precision to the ground before being cut up and carted away. Slabs from the large trunk were saved for use by artists and craftsmen.

Equally impressive was the courteous way in which the four men interacted with each other. Despite the difficulty of the work, they remained calm and mutually supportive, and not a single oath could be heard! When this was mentioned to Tom, he said that the men genuinely enjoyed working together and that the fostering of mutual respect was an important part of the business’s culture.

According to Ash, the removal has brought a significant increase in natural light into the garden. He hopes that it has also done so for neighbouring properties along Marine Terrace and Mona Street. ‘The water views from the hotel are now quite amazing. That said, it is a little bittersweet. We loved the shade the tree provided in summer. When it was healthy, it was a beautiful part of the garden and a haven for the birds, so we certainly miss that side of it.’

Ash is not sure what will be done with the newly opened space. ‘We’re not going to rush into anything. There is still a very large stump there, which makes immediate planting a little difficult, so we’ll live with the space for a while and see what feels right.’

Ash believes that the Grand Vue has played a significant role in the life of Battery Point. ‘It is nearly five years since my partner and I took over the hotel in December 2021. We’re very proud of what the hotel has become and of bringing so many visitors to Battery Point. One of the things we love most is encouraging our guests to get out and enjoy the local restaurants, pubs, cafés, shops and everything else that makes the Battery Point village so special. Hopefully Grande Vue plays its own small part in supporting and showcasing the area.’