Fallen gum tree branch | 20yo lady died

Eric Frei · 22nd January 2010, 10:54 PM

AdelaideNow... Dad's grief at falling branch death

Quote:

A GRIEF-stricken father has called for large branches overhanging Greenhill Rd to be lopped after the death of his daughter.

Mark Jolly's daughter Rebecca, 20, died in hospital yesterday.

A large branch fell on her car as she drove on Greenhill Rd, Hazelwood Park, on Saturday about 9.30pm.

It crushed the roof of her car and she lost control, crashing into a fence and parked cars on the opposite side of the road.

At the scene today, Mr Jolly said Bec's death was "an horrific accident".

"There's a real issue, a lot of these trees, they do tend to drop branches . . . if you have major branches, say over six inches (15cm) wide overhanging the road, they should be fixed," Mr Jolly said.

"I think Burnside Council has some responsibility to do that.

"I am angry but I want to find out a bit more about the exact details before . . . it's still too early.

"They're beautiful but they're dangerous, these trees."

It comes as the State Emergency Service warns of an increased risk of fallen trees following the extreme hot weather and the change to winds and rain.

Deputy Chief officer Matt Maywald said branches, particularly from large old gum trees, could drop without warning.

Burnside Council chief executive officer Neil Jacobs said the tree which dropped a branch onto Ms Jolly's car had also dropped a limb six months earlier.

"I understand some maintenance was performed, but I'm waiting for the officer who did the review to return from leave tomorrow,'' Mr Jacobs said.

"This tragedy will cause us to review our policies and and an arborist will be there tomorrow to reexamine the tree and determine whether it's suitable to continue there.''

Mr Jolly said Bec, who would have celebrated her 21st birthday in March, worked at Harris Scarfe and studying commerce at Adelaide University.

She moved out of home six weeks ago to share a flat in Parkside with her best friend.

"She travels up and down to our place (in the Adelaide Hills) by Greenhill Rd probably twice a week, she was on her way back from our place to hers, down to her flat," he said.

"She's gone."

Our trees under review - Council - News | Eastern Courier Messenger

Quote:

THE death of a 20-year-old Glen Osmond woman hit by a falling tree branch on Greenhill Rd last week has prompted a review of Burnside Council’s tree maintenance program.

The large branch fell on the roof of Rebecca Jolly’s car on Greenhill Rd, Hazelwood Park, on Saturday, January 9, causing her to crash into a fence and parked cars.

She died in hospital two days later.

Burnside CEO Neil Jacobs said overhanging trees were widespread in the district, with the potential for dropping branches especially in hot weather.

“I’ve asked that the senior managers responsible for that area to liaise with the Department of Transport,” he said.

“What are their comments? What are the comments of our insurer?

“And as a council, are we putting an appropriate level of resources into looking after our 36,000 street trees?

“The frequency of these incidences does increase during extended periods of hot weather. We don’t want people to be injured by our beautiful trees.”

He said the areas with high risk trees included Hazelwood Park and Tusmore Park.

The significant tree involved in the accident had been pruned six months ago.

It had since been inspected by council staff and an independent arborist and a decision would be made on its future management.

Mr Jacobs declined to comment on whether the council had failed in its duty of care.

“I can’t speculate on legal issues, it wouldn’t be appropriate. If more resources are required, we’ll put that to the council.”

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, Mitcham and Unley councils said they would not be reviewing their tree maintenance policies.

Meanwhile, the SES has issued a warning about the risk of falling trees following the recent spell of hot weather.

SES deputy chief officer Matt Maywald said a combination of high temperatures, then wind and rain, meant many heat-stressed trees were dropping branches without warning.

“Everyone must be vigilant in protecting their own safety and that of others,” he said.

“The SES advises home owners to consider the risks that trees can present, particularly big, old gum trees with large overhanging branches.

“When driving people must also be aware of the conditions around them and be alert to the risk of fallen trees.”

Therrin · 23rd January 2010, 05:49 AM

Quote:

“When driving people must also be aware of the conditions around them and be alert to the risk of fallen trees.”

Nice hasty CYA there, doesnt do much good when a branch falls ON your car though.

You guys seem to have TONS of these reports, whats the deal?

Eric Frei · 23rd January 2010, 07:41 AM

Even when I was a little kid we were told not to pitch a tent under a gum tree or have one near the house.

Why?

Because branches drop.

Now 40 years later some have attempted to bust this myth, tree huggers are forcing some to live under the trees and the occasional collision of falling tree branch and target (including humans) occurs.

I suppose other regions may have similar with different trees, I see in Florida a lot of large old oaks drop branches for example. The common denomiantor appears to be large old trees, they shed branches, and these are the ones tree huggers and ecologist love to protect the most.

Garry Brockley · 23rd January 2010, 09:23 AM

Its beech trees in the uk that shed thier limbs usually large diameter over extended laterals.
thats a real shame about the lady, as for the council comment look left look right and look up might be the best policy.

kieren · 23rd January 2010, 02:05 PM

The tree mentioned is a mature Eucalyptus camalulensis I have seen the tree, and would have had concern about the lower limbs falling in hot weather i am surprised that the Arborist did'nt! These trees are magnificent but they are dangerous and due to the high volume of traffic they need to be dealt with. as far as habitat if they were to be poisoned and have the bulk of the tree removed and left as a trunk the habitat would still remain. Like Ekka has said tree huggers need to care for more than just the tree. Human life is of more value! I don't like to see such big trees removed but they are not in a good location a more suitable tree needs to take its place.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 23rd January 2010, 09:36 PM

That's bad news indeed.

Mark Jolly was a friend of my brothers in Adelaide years ago.

I'm very sorry to hear this news.

Julie

Eric Frei · 24th January 2010, 09:35 AM

Dang, small world.

Jeff Darby · 24th January 2010, 10:42 PM

I have seen young healthy trees dump limbs for no apparent reason, they seem to explode of the tree leaving a splintered coronet shape behind, next time I see one I will take pictures and post. Truly sad to hear of this loss of life for one so young..Condolences to all involved.

Eric Frei · 3rd November 2010, 08:23 PM

Pity it takes a death to make change.

New ways to look at our trees - Environment - News - Eastern Courier Messenger

Quote:

2 Nov 10

COUNCILS must lift their game when managing ageing and dying public trees, with a “scorched earth” policy one of the best ways to tackle the issue.

Unley Council operations manager Trevor Stein said the wholesale removal of dying trees produced the best results, despite the community often resisting this approach.

Addressing delegates at the Local Government Association AGM last week, Mr Stein said he recognised it was an emotive and difficult issue for communities.

“What a scorched earth process does is it gets all the old trees out in one hit and it gets the new trees established at the same rate,” he said.

“We’ve had some of our best successes when we’ve taken out all of the old stock and replaced them with new stock.

“Then the trees develop at the same rate (and) they reach their canopy at the same rate and they develop, if you like a streetscape at the same rate.

“People don’t always want to go down that process and trying to convince the residents (is) something councils all over Australia have struggled with for years.”

Mr Stein’s comments followed recommendations by a panel examining tree management on public land for councils to apply local tree management policies.

“If you’re going to spend money on trees, to make sure that money is well spent you need to have a policy,” chair Brian Cunningham said.

“We think councils can do more. We think they can be a bit more proactive than they have been.

“This ensures the right trees are planted, the right trees are selected, they are looked after properly, they are put in the right places and they are given enough space to grow.

“Councils will need to replace trees, so education I think is critical to let their members of the council and their community know about the way trees live and die.”

The Independent Inquiry into Management of Trees on Public Land was set up by the LGA and its Mutual Liabilities Scheme after a Glen Osmond woman was killed by a falling tree branch while driving along Greenhill Rd in January.

Its draft recommendations were sent to councils last month, with a final report expected to be released in December.

Garry Brockley · 3rd November 2010, 08:34 PM

wow about time this issue was approached this is a country wide problem that needs sorting asap.

S.O.P · 3rd November 2010, 08:50 PM

"Scorched Earth"? What a delightful term!

I do hope they are maintaining nesting hollows. They don't grow on trees you know!

Garry Brockley · 3rd November 2010, 09:11 PM

You have to admit that planting trees directly under powerlines is a bad idea, also not maintaining street trees to a safe standard is also a bad idea there-fore something being done about this practice is a good idea.

yes i think scorched earth is a poor choice of words, they could have used "remove badly damaged or potentially dangerous trees" but we get the point of his suggestion.

S.O.P · 4th November 2010, 08:53 PM

But still, nothing wrong with a totem pole.

I can see it now, all Eucs mulched past their dripline with thick understorey plantings to keep people out. It's a Koala Conservationists dream.

KevinE · 21st April 2011, 09:25 PM

And here we are in late April 2011 & nothing has been done to improve the situation! In the current political climate, talkfests are all the go, not leadership & action!

redmower · 22nd April 2011, 12:59 PM

RE: Independent Inquiry into Management of Trees on Public Land

The final report is available on line (5.6mb):
http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/webdata/res...nal_Report.pdf

Eric Frei · 22nd April 2011, 01:25 PM

That's a great document.

I'm copying and moving to the Facts Area.

Eric Frei · 13th September 2011, 10:05 PM

Inquest told dangerous tree led to young woman's death - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Quote:

Inquest told dangerous tree led to young woman's death
September 13, 2011
An inquest into a woman's death when a tree branch fell on her car has been told the tree had dropped limbs before.

Rebecca Anne Penfold Jolly, 20, died in January last year after a seven-metre branch landed on the roof of her car as she drove along Greenhill Road at Hazelwood Park.

The coroner was told the branch rolled off the car and the vehicle veered across two lanes of traffic, hitting a fence and two parked cars.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Amanda Taylor, said Ms Jolly had moved out of her parents' home at Summertown about six weeks before her death.

She said Ms Jolly had been to visit her parents on the night and was returning to her rented unit at Parkside when the crash occurred.

Ms Jolly spent two days in intensive care at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before her death.

She succumbed to what Ms Taylor described as "massive and severe head and vertebrae injuries".

Ms Taylor told the inquest Burnside Council had received a number of complaints from residents about the danger of the tree, dating back to 1998.

She said a report commissioned by the council had recommended branches be removed.

Ms Taylor said there were a number of similar complaints about the tree from residents in 2000, but it was unclear whether the council had taken any action to prevent limbs dropping.

She said the 90-year-old tree had been pruned less than six months before Ms Jolly's death because it had dropped another branch.

On that occasion, part of the tree had fallen and brought down small branches and some of a smaller tree next to it.

The inquest will hear from witnesses to the crash, and from the council and three arborists.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 14th September 2011, 12:16 AM

RE: Independent Inquiry into Management of Trees on Public Land

The final report is available on line (5.6mb):
http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/webdata/res...nal_Report.pdf

That is so relevant for me at that moment, copied and saved for thorough reading.

Eric Frei · 16th September 2011, 10:18 PM

Well, it's just getting worse, this is likely what happens when tree huggers try to save everything and large old trees get more importance and emphasis for retention.

Knowing when to convert it into a safe habitat tree or remove it is vital. As was very well said in a video on another thread, trees need room to live and die.

Killer gum tree 'unstable': inquest told

Quote:

Killer gum tree 'unstable': inquest told
Fri Sep 16 2011
A decaying 90-year-old gum tree that dropped a branch and killed a motorist was unstable and headed for removal, an inquest has been told.

Arborist Kym Knight said when he inspected the tree several days after the incident last year, his first thought was that the gum was unstable.

The tree had poor branch structure, reduced vitality and evidence of longstanding attack from pests and disease, among other problems.

"In the end removal of this treewas going to be inevitable," Mr Knight said on Friday.

"This tree was clearly at risk of further failure."

South Australian coroner Mark Johns is investigating the death of Rebecca Jolly, 20, after the 16-metre gum dropped a seven-metre limb that crushed the roof of her car in January last year.

The branch rolled off, causing her to veer across the road where she crashed into a fence and two parked cars.

Ms Jolly suffered serious head and back injuries and died in hospital two days later.

Earlier this week counsel assisting the coroner, Amanda Taylor, told the inquest the tree had been the subject of a number of complaints to Burnside Council, in Adelaide's east, dating back to 1998.

Several residents had requested inspections because of safety fears, and a report commissioned by the council had recommended pruning, Ms Taylor said.

The grey box gum had dropped a limb six months before Ms Jolly's death, prompting another inspection and pruning by the council.

But the council deemed no further action was necessary.

After Ms Jolly's death, most of the gum's branches were removed, leaving an eight-metre trunk.

The inquest was continuing.

Coronial inquest into Rebecca Jolly's death 12 sep 2011 - YouTube

23rd January 2010, 07:41 AM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died Even when I was a little kid we were told not to pitch a tent under a gum tree or have one near the house. Why? Because branches drop. Now 40 years later some have attempted to bust this myth, tree huggers are forcing some to live under the trees and the occasional collision of falling tree branch and target (including humans) occurs. I suppose other regions may have similar with different trees, I see in Florida a lot of large old oaks drop branches for example. The common denomiantor appears to be large old trees, they shed branches, and these are the ones tree huggers and ecologist love to protect the most. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

23rd January 2010, 09:23 AM	#4
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died Its beech trees in the uk that shed thier limbs usually large diameter over extended laterals. thats a real shame about the lady, as for the council comment look left look right and look up might be the best policy. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

23rd January 2010, 02:05 PM	#5
kieren Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Adelaide Posts: 104	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died The tree mentioned is a mature Eucalyptus camalulensis I have seen the tree, and would have had concern about the lower limbs falling in hot weather i am surprised that the Arborist did'nt! These trees are magnificent but they are dangerous and due to the high volume of traffic they need to be dealt with. as far as habitat if they were to be poisoned and have the bulk of the tree removed and left as a trunk the habitat would still remain. Like Ekka has said tree huggers need to care for more than just the tree. Human life is of more value! I don't like to see such big trees removed but they are not in a good location a more suitable tree needs to take its place.

23rd January 2010, 09:36 PM	#6
jmcg.insight.gardens Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mannering Park, Australia Posts: 623	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died That's bad news indeed. Mark Jolly was a friend of my brothers in Adelaide years ago. I'm very sorry to hear this news. Julie

24th January 2010, 09:35 AM	#7
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died Dang, small world. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

24th January 2010, 10:42 PM	#8
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,031	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died I have seen young healthy trees dump limbs for no apparent reason, they seem to explode of the tree leaving a splintered coronet shape behind, next time I see one I will take pictures and post. Truly sad to hear of this loss of life for one so young..Condolences to all involved. __________________ 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

3rd November 2010, 08:34 PM	#10
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died wow about time this issue was approached this is a country wide problem that needs sorting asap. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

3rd November 2010, 08:50 PM	#11
S.O.P Sappling Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brisbane Posts: 32	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died "Scorched Earth"? What a delightful term! I do hope they are maintaining nesting hollows. They don't grow on trees you know!

3rd November 2010, 09:11 PM	#12
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died You have to admit that planting trees directly under powerlines is a bad idea, also not maintaining street trees to a safe standard is also a bad idea there-fore something being done about this practice is a good idea. yes i think scorched earth is a poor choice of words, they could have used "remove badly damaged or potentially dangerous trees" but we get the point of his suggestion. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

4th November 2010, 08:53 PM	#13
S.O.P Sappling Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brisbane Posts: 32	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died But still, nothing wrong with a totem pole. I can see it now, all Eucs mulched past their dripline with thick understorey plantings to keep people out. It's a Koala Conservationists dream.

21st April 2011, 09:25 PM	#14
KevinE Mature tree Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Adelaide SA Posts: 292	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died And here we are in late April 2011 & nothing has been done to improve the situation! In the current political climate, talkfests are all the go, not leadership & action!

22nd April 2011, 12:59 PM	#15
redmower Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: May 2010 Location: sub-tropical Queensland Posts: 75	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died RE: Independent Inquiry into Management of Trees on Public Land The final report is available on line (5.6mb): http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/webdata/res...nal_Report.pdf

22nd April 2011, 01:25 PM	#16
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died That's a great document. I'm copying and moving to the Facts Area. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

14th September 2011, 12:16 AM	#18
jmcg.insight.gardens Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mannering Park, Australia Posts: 623	Re: Fallen gum tree branch \| 20yo lady died RE: Independent Inquiry into Management of Trees on Public Land The final report is available on line (5.6mb): http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/webdata/res...nal_Report.pdf That is so relevant for me at that moment, copied and saved for thorough reading.

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