Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists|Fraser Island|FIDO

Eric Frei · 14th November 2008, 06:03 PM

FIDO (Fraser Island Defenders Organisation) is an organisation that was founded by John Sinclair whose purpose is “The Watchdog of Fraser Island”.

No doubt they have been the driving force of many protections of this unique location. They've been at it since 1971!

Recently in my internet travels I bumped into an interesting article which I have both attached and linked here. I do that incase the article gets dropped or pulled we have a copy.

Read this from the article:

Quote:

6. Beware of Arborists wielding Chainsaws: FIDO has an ever increasing disquiet as we watch the number of trees being felled on Fraser Island at the behest of arborists. It appears that the only criteria necessary to save a tree from condemnation by an arborist is that it presents no danger to any passing public. Often trees have been felled anyhow. While we can obtain photographic evidence after these trees have fallen just how solid they are Arborists seem to have no requirement to answer for their increasing number of mistakes. However the environment is the main sufferer for the mistakes and the amenity areas on Fraser Island used by the public suffer as a result of poor assessments by arborists.

A tree beside the walking track from Central Station to Pile Valley felled by an Arborist, presumably
in the interest of public safety. The Akubra provides some sense of scale.

7. What Age is That Tree? FIDO has sought through the Community Advisory Committee to see a significant tree register established for Fraser Island to avoid thecontinuing destruction of ancient trees on Fraser Island. However a senior QPW officer is working on the assumption that there are no trees on Fraser Island older that 300 years because a nameless person in the Queensland Herbarium is alleged to have said so. Based on geomorphic evidence FIDO believes that many Fraser Island trees are more than 2000 years old. Many of these trees, mostly Melaluecas in the trail left after the advance of a sandblow, have been destroyed by QPW chainsaws or fires in
the last decade. As well we are seeing many of the ancient Aboriginal scarred trees disappear. Gunyah trees, trees that were once cut open to harvest the honey of native bees and canoe trees have been left unmarked and unprotected. Several have been burnt out or died naturally in recent times. This is epitomized by the collapse of an old Angophpra near Lake Boomanjin that had been robbed by Aborigines for honey over 100 years ago. Some effort is needed to recognize and protect these trees and provide some better interpretation of their special significance.

I have written an email to John and Fido letting them know as independent arborists we care, and have the capacity to expose scams and like. It will be interesting to see if he joins or emails back because I'd like to know who is making these assessments based on what?

With the recent QAA and Q-Build fiasco I have little faith in a system that isn't open. What if mere tree loppers and paper shufflers are making these calls? Who's to know, there should be a paper trail for every tree, and being the sensative area it is it should be public knowledge.

Anyway, comments appreciated.

Done it · 14th November 2008, 08:32 PM

No trees over 300 years old?

Maybe is guy is wrong.

YouTube - Fraser Explorer Tours - Satinay Tree

We still have some Big turpentines here, in hard to get at places, logged out mostly, but I reckon I could find a few old ones.

Garry Brockley · 15th November 2008, 06:25 AM

A paper trail would get some protection for some trees but the real hacks won't care the public need to have information at hand and the law needs to come down hard on the unscrupulous, before these "arborists" cause damage
Nice one Eric

newguy18 · 15th November 2008, 06:37 AM

The tree pictured only had a small crack in it,no need for removal,some reduction pruning maybe.

Garry Brockley · 15th November 2008, 06:40 AM

Exactly thats the point these people are just cutting them down "just in case" they see a crak and it's ooh sorry love we will have to take it down.

newguy18 · 15th November 2008, 08:04 AM

Haven't they heard of spray foam?

Tree Solutions · 15th November 2008, 07:11 PM

While it's un-fortunate, there are, as I see it 2 distinct arb practices occurring in our towns and suburbs, 'pure' arboriculture where the trees best interest are acted upon, then there is what I like to call 'liability' arboriculture where quite often the trees best interests are overridden by some person or entity's public liability.
In some cases I'm sure if a person complains long and hard enough about a tree near their home or place of business, a perfectly healthy tree will eventually be removed. sadly in many cases I believe this is occurring all too regularly and I feel in the very short term we will have no mature trees in the urban environment at all...

opinions anyone ?

newguy18 · 16th November 2008, 01:03 AM

Well i can't say much as most of my work is removals.

Eric Frei · 16th November 2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tree Solutions

In some cases I'm sure if a person complains long and hard enough about a tree near their home or place of business, a perfectly healthy tree will eventually be removed. sadly in many cases I believe this is occurring all too regularly and I feel in the very short term we will have no mature trees in the urban environment at all...

opinions anyone ?

Hmmm, depends on the council. I have seen some remove them easily and others dig in for a legal fight, very hit and miss I think.

Yes, with narrow urban streets of these new developments and shoebox house blocks trees are a thing of the past. All in the name of "higher density" living and preventing the "urban sprawl". You'll have to visit parks to see big trees.

TreeDimensional · 16th November 2008, 01:12 PM

Sorry to butt in here Ekka, but the Park trees in some areas aren't all that great to be around either! Does Farm Park Jacarandas ring any bells?

15th November 2008, 06:25 AM	#3
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO A paper trail would get some protection for some trees but the real hacks won't care the public need to have information at hand and the law needs to come down hard on the unscrupulous, before these "arborists" cause damage Nice one Eric __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

15th November 2008, 06:37 AM	#4
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO The tree pictured only had a small crack in it,no need for removal,some reduction pruning maybe. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

15th November 2008, 06:40 AM	#5
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO Exactly thats the point these people are just cutting them down "just in case" they see a crak and it's ooh sorry love we will have to take it down. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

15th November 2008, 08:04 AM	#6
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO Haven't they heard of spray foam? __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

15th November 2008, 07:11 PM	#7
Tree Solutions Sappling Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane Posts: 14	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO While it's un-fortunate, there are, as I see it 2 distinct arb practices occurring in our towns and suburbs, 'pure' arboriculture where the trees best interest are acted upon, then there is what I like to call 'liability' arboriculture where quite often the trees best interests are overridden by some person or entity's public liability. In some cases I'm sure if a person complains long and hard enough about a tree near their home or place of business, a perfectly healthy tree will eventually be removed. sadly in many cases I believe this is occurring all too regularly and I feel in the very short term we will have no mature trees in the urban environment at all... opinions anyone ?

16th November 2008, 01:03 AM	#8
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO Well i can't say much as most of my work is removals. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

16th November 2008, 01:12 PM	#10
TreeDimensional Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 426	Re: Beware Chainsaw Weilding Arborists\|Fraser Island\|FIDO Sorry to butt in here Ekka, but the Park trees in some areas aren't all that great to be around either! Does Farm Park Jacarandas ring any bells? Last edited by TreeDimensional; 16th November 2008 at 01:19 PM. Reason: Sp

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