Bunya Pine| Nut drop hazard

ascoffell · 17th February 2011, 12:05 PM

We have a large Bunya Pine ( aprox 60 ft high ) that causes grief to the neighbours at this time every year as it drops its nuts. Neighbour's wife hangs out the washing in a hardhat !
We love the tree but they are pressuring us to chop it down.
Is there anything we can do to stop it from producing nuts each year ?
Any advice much appreciated.

sir_nick2 · 17th February 2011, 12:53 PM

Have a look at the northern side of the tree about chest height and there should be a switch maybe under a bit of bark, just flick it to the off position and that should solve your problem, also FYI on the other side there will be another switch which will make the nuts light up, I like to use that come Xmas time.

Eric Frei · 17th February 2011, 04:44 PM

Judy Fakes reckons denut the tree annually.

I reckon cut it down.

Done it · 17th February 2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

I reckon cut it down.

Why? Free food is always good.

bunya nut - a Bush Tucker Plant or Bush Food - Australian native food plant

Eric Frei · 18th February 2011, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Done it

Why?

Read first post.

Quote:

that causes grief to the neighbours at this time every year as it drops its nuts. Neighbour's wife hangs out the washing in a hardhat !

I quoted one for removal where a nut smashed a BMW's windscreen parked in the street, tree was owned privately right near the front fence.

Access to denut was really bad with service wires etc.

Jeff Darby · 18th February 2011, 08:07 AM

I feel Judy Fakes recommendation is sound if the tree is in a park or a large backyard with plenty of access room and not over hanging the neighbours property. However in a suburban setting of today this species of tree grows too large and once a year drops life threatening size nuts indiscriminately ! I honestly think if your wife takes a direct hit from a falling nut it could kill her at the least knock her out hard hat or not.

I was involved in de nutting two mature specimens in a park with plenty of room and it was still dangerous as, we had one bloke in a 25 meter cherrypicker de nutting and two as look outs for the public and our selves as these nuts when they hit the ground either shatter or take off at high speed in any direction this is a photo I have of one of the nuts.

Brent Ferris · 18th February 2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascoffell

We have a large Bunya Pine ( aprox 60 ft high ) that causes grief to the neighbours at this time every year as it drops its nuts. Neighbour's wife hangs out the washing in a hardhat !
We love the tree but they are pressuring us to chop it down.
Is there anything we can do to stop it from producing nuts each year ?
Any advice much appreciated.

As the previous posts have mentioned, denutting the tree annually can solve your dilemma. If you can (annually) cut off the female flowers, you can also stop the tree from fruiting each year. This is probably safer than taking off big nuts, but spotting the female flowers could take a lot of time.

Hard hats can take quite a beating, but a shed with a steel roof might be a better solution -- or take off/trim back the limbs over the neighbour's side.

Now if the bunya pine nuts were a real eating delicacy, the neighbour's might not be so adamant,

Jeff Darby · 21st February 2011, 08:50 PM

Here's a picture I took today, it's bunya nut season...lol.

Eric Frei · 22nd February 2011, 04:50 PM

Some more about Bunya pine nut drop here:-

Hornsby Council Refuses Tree Removal Request

Bunya Bunya Pine drops huge nut

I have changed the name of this thread to focus on Bunya nut incidents and have it all in one place.

Here's another in the media.

Cundle pines felled: Trees ruled a risk to public safety - Local News - News - General - Manning River Times

Quote:

22 Feb, 2011
The noise of chainsaws which awakened residents of River Street, Cundletown early yesterday was a harsh reminder of the litigious world in which we live.

The popular Kendall Reserve on the banks of the river was being changed forever, its heritage listed bunya pine trees being removed by Greater Taree City Council “to avoid potential injury to the public”.

The public was given just three days’ notice of the start of the operation, council advertising its intent as the last item in its weekly ‘Manning News’ in the Manning River Times edition last Friday.

Despite the notice, the start of the removal operation early yesterday caught many people unawares, residents expressing deep sadness that such majestic trees were going in the name of ‘progress’.

The bunya pines lining River Street near the boat ramp, wharf and picnic area are thought to have been planted in the late 1800s near the then flourishing Cundletown slipway.

It is understood one of the Manning’s most well known pioneering families – the McDonells – were responsible for at least some of the plantings.

Five bunya pines – four of which are heritage listed – as well as two silky oaks are listed for removal, the silk oaks the first to be felled early yesterday before the chainsaws began on the bunyas.

Council’s own heritage database says the following in regard to four of the bunya pines: – “Of townscape and historical significance of later 19th or early 20th Century plantings. Enhances the historical character of the area.”

On Australia Day this year, a nearby resident counted 23 boat trailers attached to vehicles parked in and around Kendall Reserve, with 14 other separate vehicles – testament to the ongoing popularity of the riverside location.

However it is this popularity which has led to council’s decision to remove the trees, which are notorious for dropping massive pine cones weighing up to eight kilos – without warning. The same can be said for the heavy branches, many breaking off when hit by one of the falling cones.

“They have the potential to kill,” Cundletown councillor David West explained, and that’s a risk council is not prepared to take.

“There is no doubt that a pine cone weighing up to 8kgs falling at terminal velocity for 25 or more metres has the capacity to kill someone,” he said. “Hitting a person or a vehicle puts ratepayers at risk.

“I realise it’s disappointing to see them go, but the reality of it is that we live today in a society that is very litigious.

“Unfortunately there are people who take every advantage of situations such as this. Even the slightest mistake leaves council open to being prosecuted, and the fact is council has received a number of complaints about these particular trees.

“Council just cannot afford to be placed in a position where the ratepayers will be at risk of having to pay (in respect of legal action).”

Cr West described Kendall Reserve as “a very beautiful place to picnic” and council’s plan was to make the area more user-friendly.

Removal of the trees is expected to take a couple of days, council’s senior leader of strategic planning Richard Pamplin said yesterday.

Council let the contract to Darawank-based Ability Tree Service on the understanding that the timber will be sold to a sawmill and likely be re-sold for woodturning and other uses.

River Street resident Max Carey said residents have over the years approached council to remove the trees because of the danger of falling pine cones.

Last year, council removed a number of cones from the tops of the trees to prevent damage to cars or picnickers on Kendall Reserve, Mr Carey said.

Council is currently preparing a Plan of Management for Kendall Reserve, “and residents of Cundletown are hoping they will be consulted as to the type of trees that will replace the bunya pines,” he said.

“It is to be hoped that some suitable type of tree can be planted to replace the pines and provide shade without the danger of falling cones.”

Included in the plan of management is a design for vehicle parking to cater for the increasing number of people who use the boat launching ramp and picnic area with barbecue facilities.

“Many cars and trailers park adjacent to launching ramp at weekends so it is essential that adequate off street parking be provided,” Mr Carey said.

Secretary of Cundletown Progress Association, Ruth Crossman said it was personally distressing to see the majestic trees lost to the community which had enjoyed their special riverside environment for so long.

“There have been no deaths caused by these trees, and even the tree closest to the road (River Street) has had nobody hit is so far,” she said.

ArbTrain · 10th March 2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir_nick2

Have a look at the northern side of the tree about chest height and there should be a switch maybe under a bit of bark, just flick it to the off position and that should solve your problem, also FYI on the other side there will be another switch which will make the nuts light up, I like to use that come Xmas time.

Sir nik,, u rock man - thats funny as

treestyle · 10th March 2011, 09:28 PM

I have seen wire heavy duty structures made to catch nuts...... hell of a noise! But it may work out almost same price as it would to remove tree.

And any way how much is this tree worth? and how much is shade worth? and how much is oxygen worth... and how much is a cool prehistoric tree worth to look at?

That tree would add value to the property if managed correctly!

Do risk assessment..... what is the likely hood of an incident? it may prove to be a statistically safe tree in comparison to other every day done things. I.e. it probably more dangerous to drive to work than it is to hang out the washing in a hard hat.

KEEP IT!!!!!

treestyle · 10th March 2011, 09:31 PM

It is more likely that we will die of global warming than by a Bunya Nut gett'n us. Dah!

Alex Metzler · 11th March 2011, 02:34 AM

I say have someone tie a string to each nut so if it falls it only goes a foot or so before it stops. Lol seriously tho I never like suggesting the removal of a healthy tree, but..... It sounds like a tree out of place, i wouldnt want to to live under it, and once one of those things gets renegade..... Sure its a beautiful tree thats probably older than most of us here but @ the end of the day we all have to coexist SAFELY, how much trouble is it worth (i hate valueing it) cut it

Brent Ferris · 14th March 2011, 04:20 PM

Are these nuts solid enough to put on a lathe and turn into something more useful?

Eric Frei · 14th March 2011, 07:35 PM

Nope, they bust up into pieces unless they are not fully developed

Apocalypsse · 14th March 2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

I quoted one for removal where a nut smashed a BMW's windscreen parked in the street

Excellent! 1 less BMW to try to run me off the road!

Eric Frei · 2nd March 2012, 05:42 PM

http://www.warragulcitizen.com/local...thal-injury105

Quote:

Warragul heritage listed tree threatens ‘lethal’ injury
Friday, March 2nd, 2012 at 2:40 PM

An image supplied by the Baw Baw Shire Council of one of the pine cones.

A heritage listed tree in Warragul has begun dropping 10kg pine cones which could cause a fatality should one hit a person.

The 120 year old Bunya Pine in Smith Street’s Courthouse Restaurant grounds has already dropped a number of pine cones, while another six large cones remain on the tree up to 20 metres above ground.

Mayor of the Baw Baw Shire Council Diane Blackwood said in a media release the pine cones could lead to a fatality and an arborist has been called in.

“These huge pine cones have the capacity to be lethal if they were to fall on someone passing underneath from such a large height,” Ms Blackwood said.

“As such, we are asking residents to be vigilant by staying well outside of the barricades that we have placed out on the footpath while we work with the owner and a consultant arborist to reach a quick and satisfactory solution to the problem.”

“Although the offending tree is not owned by the Council, or on public land, our major concern is public safety which is why we have arranged for a 40 metre high elevated work platform to be in place in Smith Street [today] to get the offending pine cones.”

This is the first time in 15 years council workers have reported seeing pine cones on the tree.

Google link to tree.

Google Maps

Drouin Tree Service · 2nd March 2012, 06:49 PM

We removed 27 of them from that tree today

ArbTrain · 3rd March 2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drouin Tree Service

We removed 27 of them from that tree today

Wow. good job Jason!!.. monster bucket truck?

Drouin Tree Service · 3rd March 2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArbTrain

Wow. good job Jason!!.. monster bucket truck?

Ordered a 40m and a 55m bronto turned up,made it very easy.Some of the nuts were just sitting up there already had come off,most needed a little tug just like pulling a lemon from the tree.

ArbTrain · 3rd March 2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drouin Tree Service

Ordered a 40m and a 55m bronto turned up,made it very easy.Some of the nuts were just sitting up there already had come off,most needed a little tug just like pulling a lemon from the tree.

Thats a crackin big tower,, havent been in one that big for a long while.. you still keen for me to head down your way?- melb. conection is making noises about me training down there, although im pretty busy here

Eric Frei · 3rd March 2012, 04:04 PM

So who is paying, the business surely.

Well, it is surely a lot more lucrative and profitable than palm cleaning. So now an annual de-nutting has to be done for safety, and using towers like that etc it will not be some $100 job.

One must ask about the appropriateness of this species to traffic areas.

Not all de-nutting can be done with a tower, having to climb to remove them especially for a tree that size is nuts!

Drouin Tree Service · 3rd March 2012, 04:44 PM

It wasn't very costly whole job was 2 hours.

I have been told the tree is healthy from an arborist/report side of things.

Im sure if its an annual thing the hired tower can do other jobs while its there with good time managment.

Personally i think its good that the council put people first and acted very quickly(within 24 hours)

Eric Frei · 3rd March 2012, 05:07 PM

2hours of crew + 40m tower = $'s

Around here no-ones hiring a 40m out for less than 4 hours minimum charge and some will charge travel on top so imagine doing 1 hour in the bucket and copping 4hours charge + travel

. That means stacking jobs, need to get in early then when nuts are forming not when mature so there is less stress on time/deadline in case a nut falls.

Joshua Rugg · 27th March 2012, 05:34 PM

i know this is an old thread but how would one rig out pine cones that big?

Drouin Tree Service · 27th March 2012, 05:42 PM

---------TOP SECRET ARBORIST GEAR--------

STRONG FISHING NET AND STICK WITH SPIKE

Joshua Rugg · 27th March 2012, 05:50 PM

say you had a bushel to lower out over a house. how would you do it? haha and bucket truck is cheating

17th February 2011, 12:05 PM	#1
ascoffell I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: brisbane Posts: 1	Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard We have a large Bunya Pine ( aprox 60 ft high ) that causes grief to the neighbours at this time every year as it drops its nuts. Neighbour's wife hangs out the washing in a hardhat ! We love the tree but they are pressuring us to chop it down. Is there anything we can do to stop it from producing nuts each year ? Any advice much appreciated.

17th February 2011, 12:53 PM	#2
sir_nick2 Sappling Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 28	Re: How do I stop Bunya Pine fruiting ? Have a look at the northern side of the tree about chest height and there should be a switch maybe under a bit of bark, just flick it to the off position and that should solve your problem, also FYI on the other side there will be another switch which will make the nuts light up, I like to use that come Xmas time.

17th February 2011, 04:44 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: How do I stop Bunya Pine fruiting ? Judy Fakes reckons denut the tree annually. I reckon cut it down. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

18th February 2011, 08:07 AM	#6
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,057	Re: How do I stop Bunya Pine fruiting ? I feel Judy Fakes recommendation is sound if the tree is in a park or a large backyard with plenty of access room and not over hanging the neighbours property. However in a suburban setting of today this species of tree grows too large and once a year drops life threatening size nuts indiscriminately ! I honestly think if your wife takes a direct hit from a falling nut it could kill her at the least knock her out hard hat or not. I was involved in de nutting two mature specimens in a park with plenty of room and it was still dangerous as, we had one bloke in a 25 meter cherrypicker de nutting and two as look outs for the public and our selves as these nuts when they hit the ground either shatter or take off at high speed in any direction this is a photo I have of one of the nuts. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011 Last edited by Jeff Darby; 18th February 2011 at 08:38 AM.

21st February 2011, 08:50 PM	#8
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,057	Re: How do I stop Bunya Pine fruiting ? Here's a picture I took today, it's bunya nut season...lol. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

10th March 2011, 09:28 PM	#11
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard I have seen wire heavy duty structures made to catch nuts...... hell of a noise! But it may work out almost same price as it would to remove tree. And any way how much is this tree worth? and how much is shade worth? and how much is oxygen worth... and how much is a cool prehistoric tree worth to look at? That tree would add value to the property if managed correctly! Do risk assessment..... what is the likely hood of an incident? it may prove to be a statistically safe tree in comparison to other every day done things. I.e. it probably more dangerous to drive to work than it is to hang out the washing in a hard hat. KEEP IT!!!!!

10th March 2011, 09:31 PM	#12
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard It is more likely that we will die of global warming than by a Bunya Nut gett'n us. Dah!

11th March 2011, 02:34 AM	#13
Alex Metzler Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: eugene oregon Posts: 90	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard I say have someone tie a string to each nut so if it falls it only goes a foot or so before it stops. Lol seriously tho I never like suggesting the removal of a healthy tree, but..... It sounds like a tree out of place, i wouldnt want to to live under it, and once one of those things gets renegade..... Sure its a beautiful tree thats probably older than most of us here but @ the end of the day we all have to coexist SAFELY, how much trouble is it worth (i hate valueing it) cut it

14th March 2011, 04:20 PM	#14
Brent Ferris Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,555	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard Are these nuts solid enough to put on a lathe and turn into something more useful? __________________ My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports Consulting Forester If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too ! We do great jobs, even in small yards. Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered) Email -- treeshaveneeds@3web.com Cell 416-460-5704

14th March 2011, 07:35 PM	#15
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard Nope, they bust up into pieces unless they are not fully developed __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

2nd March 2012, 06:49 PM	#18
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,724	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard We removed 27 of them from that tree today Attached Thumbnails __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

3rd March 2012, 04:04 PM	#22
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard So who is paying, the business surely. Well, it is surely a lot more lucrative and profitable than palm cleaning. So now an annual de-nutting has to be done for safety, and using towers like that etc it will not be some $100 job. One must ask about the appropriateness of this species to traffic areas. Not all de-nutting can be done with a tower, having to climb to remove them especially for a tree that size is nuts! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

3rd March 2012, 04:44 PM	#23
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,724	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard It wasn't very costly whole job was 2 hours. I have been told the tree is healthy from an arborist/report side of things. Im sure if its an annual thing the hired tower can do other jobs while its there with good time managment. Personally i think its good that the council put people first and acted very quickly(within 24 hours) __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

3rd March 2012, 05:07 PM	#24
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard 2hours of crew + 40m tower = $'s Around here no-ones hiring a 40m out for less than 4 hours minimum charge and some will charge travel on top so imagine doing 1 hour in the bucket and copping 4hours charge + travel . That means stacking jobs, need to get in early then when nuts are forming not when mature so there is less stress on time/deadline in case a nut falls. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

27th March 2012, 05:34 PM	#25
Joshua Rugg Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: maui, hawaii Posts: 285	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard i know this is an old thread but how would one rig out pine cones that big? __________________ Stihl MS192T 14" MS200T 16" MS261 16" MS440 25" Husqvarna 359 20" 394XP 32" Poulan P3314 14" ( new hire/groundy saw)

27th March 2012, 05:42 PM	#26
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,724	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard ---------TOP SECRET ARBORIST GEAR-------- STRONG FISHING NET AND STICK WITH SPIKE __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

27th March 2012, 05:50 PM	#27
Joshua Rugg Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: maui, hawaii Posts: 285	Re: Bunya Pine\| Nut drop hazard say you had a bushel to lower out over a house. how would you do it? haha and bucket truck is cheating __________________ Stihl MS192T 14" MS200T 16" MS261 16" MS440 25" Husqvarna 359 20" 394XP 32" Poulan P3314 14" ( new hire/groundy saw)

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