Queensland Health Thick As Bricks!

Eric Frei · 5th January 2009, 10:32 PM

I cannot believe how dumb government depts can be here!

Another classic from the self proclaimed "Smart State"

Have a go of this story, read the absolute BS and how ignorant these idiots are. Here's some classic words from a typical ignorant fool.

Quote:

We will secure the services of a licensed arborist

Licensed arborist hey, WOW, WHERE DO YOU GET A LICENCE? NO SUCH THING IDIOTS!

Quote:

Initially we will need to take off quite a few large branches and it may take some time for foliage to reshoot but we will maintain the shape of the trees and keep them at a manageable level.

Foliage to re-shoot. Really, then why cut it in the first place if you want it to re-shoot? Also would that mean a lop job is better as you get more shoots? IDIOTS.

Maintain the shape hey. Well if you're cutting to AS43732007 you cut to targets, shape is irrelevent to a degree, or do you want some lop job as the crow flies?

Manageable level. The trees are managing just fine without your ideas. What is a manageable level, 30' or 40' and does that mean you revisit to lop some more later?

Quote:

The arborist will be able to prune the trees in a way that will allow re-growth in the quickest possible time without causing any damage.

Re-growth in the quickest time. Really, obviously looking for a lop job, throw the Australian Standards in the bin then you ignorant fools.

Without causing damage. Oh, so those chainsaw cuts aren't damage, nah not even a scratch. I wonder if you see amputations on your patients as no damage too!

I'll now put the whole story up here, read it for yourselves.

---------------

Tree lopping is 'ludicrous' - Local News - News - General - Goondiwindi Argus

Quote:

Queensland Health’s plan to prune the Moreton Bay Figs outside the Goondiwindi Hospital to safegaurd staff has been slammed as ludicrous by Goondiwindi Doctor, Debbie Waldron.

And she’s not the only one.

Several phone calls have been made to The Argus over the past week from concerned residents.

However Queensland Health has defended the move in the name of staff safety.

It recently announced that the trees would need “trimming” to allow lighting to shine across the path.

A safety audit had identified the trees as a safety concern for hospital employees.

“These trees have been part of the hospital landscape for a long time so we want to keep them but we will need to do some trimming and pruning. We will secure the services of a licensed arborist,” a Queensland Health media release said.

“Initially we will need to take off quite a few large branches and it may take some time for foliage to reshoot but we will maintain the shape of the trees and keep them at a manageable level.

“The arborist will be able to prune the trees in a way that will allow re-growth in the quickest possible time without causing any damage. The trees then will be maintained regularly to ensure the security of all persons using the pathways,” it said.

It’s believed the initial recommendation was for the trees to be removed until there was local intervention.

Plans may change again if Dr Debbie Waldron has her way.

She believes pruning won’t help the safety issue.

“We’ve heard that it will cost between $25,000 to $30,000 to take off 10m from the trees but I have no idea how that will help security.

“What about some sensor lights on the buildings or some more lamp lights along the path. Surely that would be a lot cheaper and actually make a difference. We’ve also heard they intended to cut them down so no one could hide behind the trunks. How ridiculous, are they going to chop down every tree that staff may walk by on their way home?

“I’m sick of Queensland Health imposing their ridiculous ideas on us and I certainly don’t trust them to do the right thing by these trees.

“These are beautiful shade trees and a part of the this town’s history and such a beautiful peaceful part of the hospital’s garden.

“My major concern is what do they mean by a prune? If it’s a judicious one that is carefully supervised by a qualified arborist, that’s fine, but I still don’t understand how that will improve security, which is the whole point of the exercise,” Dr Waldron said.

Professional arborist, Mr Hugh Sweeting of Toowoomba said that if Qld Health intended to prune 10 m from trees with the height and wing span of those at Goondiwindi, it would have a severe and negative impact on the long term health of the tree.

“Trees of this size should have no more than a few metres taken from them.

“A light pruning of the crown of the tree is fine and the removal of dead and diseased wood will allow more light to get through the tree and improve its look and health.

“It would be imprudent to change the shape of the tree and there is no way that such a huge project like this should be attempted without a professional arborist.

“To suggest that taking more than two metres of the trees of this size isn’t going to damage it is ridiculous. These sorts of things make me really angry, we need to be looking after our trees and I believe if anyone higher up in the Queensland Government was aware of the damage this may do, they would not be happy.”

Mr Sweetman has been a professional arborist for 18 years and works regularly with the Queensland Department of Parks and Wildlife and is a consultant for the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Mr Phil Percival is equally concerned about the term “pruning” and believes a major haircut would badly damage the trees.

“They’re magnificent trees and if they prune them too much they may not come back.

“I would have to give Kate Jefford (Director of Nursing) a pat on the back as the original plan was to take them out altogether but she managed to change that to a prune.

“I’m not sure how that will help with security though,” Mr Percival said.

“One of the major attractions of this town is our green parks and gardens and our beautiful big trees, we need to be taking care them,”

As the trees are on Queensland Health property the Goondiwindi Regional Council has no jurisdiction over them.

According to Mr Kevin Suhr the trees were planted by George Jamieson’s father in 1937.

“They were planted the same time as the trees at the Golden Age Centre,” Mr Suhr said.

Bernard Keays · 6th January 2009, 11:20 AM

EKKA,

I hope for the sake of the trees Hugh is asked to prune them. I know he is a very passionate arborist. I worked with him between 1996 and 1997 in Toowoomba.

Eric Frei · 6th January 2009, 11:28 AM

I hope so too, sad, it's not like that place is a rain forest!

Done it · 6th January 2009, 07:12 PM

“What about some sensor lights on the buildings or some more lamp lights along the path. Surely that would be a lot cheaper and actually make a difference. We’ve also heard they intended to cut them down so no one could hide behind the trunks. How ridiculous, are they going to chop down every tree that staff may walk by on their way home?

Seems pretty simple. I'm with Dr Waldron, she seems to have some common sense, [probably be her downfall]

Eric Frei · 6th January 2009, 08:12 PM

Could also put reflective stuff on the path edges too so at night you can see the edge just like driving along a road.

Drouin Tree Service · 6th January 2009, 09:16 PM

The company doing the audit need outcomes to be paid there fees,blaming the trees is just soooo easy.

newguy18 · 6th January 2009, 11:01 PM

Wtf?the tree needs 10 mteres removed from it?topping i assume.

TrevMcRev · 8th January 2009, 05:55 PM

$25,000-30,000 to lop 2 trees

Eric Frei · 20th May 2009, 08:33 PM

Have a look at what they did!

And have a read at the BS spin they put on it.

Source:Fig tree ?pruning? - Local News - News - General - Goondiwindi Argus

Quote:

Fig tree ‘pruning’

20/05/2009 9:59:00 AM

RESIDENTS upset about the pruning of the Goondiwindi Hospital fig trees shouldn’t blame Queensland Health according to the man charged with pruning the trees last week.

He said whoever pruned the tree last were the “original butchers”.

Toowooomba arborist Russell Clark said the real damage was done 20 years ago when the trees were first pruned.

“Whoever did that didn’t know what they were doing and completely ruined the trees.

“What we had to deal with was what we refer to as epicormic growth which is fast re-growth from the large wounds on the trunk of the tree.

“Fig trees should never be pruned like that and if we are ever asked to do such work in people’s gardens, I quite happily walk away.

“A prune like that permanently damages the integrity of the tree.

“You just can’t do that to a fig tree and these trees have never been proper solid trees, they have had long spindly regrowth which permanently damaged the tree,” Mr Clark said.

The future for the trees isn’t that rosy either.

Two years growth will have them at six metres high with a green canopy but they will then have to pruned back again to where they are today.

“We will have to maintain them from now on and because of the danger they pose they can never be allowed to reach the size they were.

“We will have to assess the situation in two years time and see if there are any healthy branches that we can work with.

“Most of it will be as before, accelerated regrowth from the wounds.

“I understand that people may be upset but they need to realize the damage was done a long time ago.

“It was a travesty then and the people who did that should be brought to task,” Mr Clark said.

District Chief Executive Officer of the Darling Downs-West Moreton Health Service, Pam Lane said in the Argus three weeks ago that “no-one within Queensland Health” wanted these important landmarks damaged.

“Another important aspect is staff safety.

“As we have advised previously the tree foliage blocks security lighting and it’s very important that night staff and members of the public feel safe when leaving the hospital grounds,” she said.

But that view hasn’t eased anger.

What do the Australian Standards of pruning (AS4373 - 2007) say?

Quote:

7.3.5 Remedial (restorative) pruning (H)
This type of pruning shall only be carried out on trees which have lost their natural form
and structure through storm damage, mechanical damage, vandalism, lopping, dieback or
disease. This method is usually only used when all other approaches have failed and
replacing the tree is difficult. The purpose of this pruning is to prolong the useful life
expectancy of such trees and to reduce their hazard potential.
This type of pruning removes damaged, diseased or lopped branches back to undamaged or
healthy tissue. The final cut may not necessarily be at the branch collar. The aim is to
induce the production of epicormic shoots from which a new crown is intended to be
established. To achieve this, regrowth should be managed by reduction pruning or crown
thinning.
NOTES:
1 This type of pruning should be done in several stages in an attempt to induce stable and
successful regrowth.
2 Consideration should be given to removing dangerous trees.
3 Remedial pruning may create hazards from weak branch attachment. Trees should be
carefully monitored.

letigre · 20th May 2009, 08:51 PM

morons utter morons. even if a tree has been lopped you can still subordinate the epicormic growth to maintain as much foliage as possible.not that it had to be pruned at all by the sounds of it.

listen to that 'arborist', he knows hes done the wrong thing, just wants to blame someone else and cop a pay check. tree lopping prostitute son of a b@tch.

Eric Frei · 20th May 2009, 10:05 PM

I knew even before that this would happen.

Why?

I live here and know how these idiots think.

TrevMcRev · 21st May 2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letigre

tree lopping prostitute son of a b@tch.

Paul Goodall · 15th February 2012, 03:02 PM

Anyone ever revisit these to see how they grew after the lop or if they're even still there?

Eric Frei · 15th February 2012, 04:26 PM

Oh crap! I was in that town not that long ago and didn't go and see, twice I have been there recently.

6th January 2009, 11:20 AM	#2
Bernard Keays Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glasshouse Posts: 193	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! EKKA, I hope for the sake of the trees Hugh is asked to prune them. I know he is a very passionate arborist. I worked with him between 1996 and 1997 in Toowoomba. __________________ Bernie

6th January 2009, 11:28 AM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! I hope so too, sad, it's not like that place is a rain forest! __________________ 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

6th January 2009, 07:12 PM	#4
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! “What about some sensor lights on the buildings or some more lamp lights along the path. Surely that would be a lot cheaper and actually make a difference. We’ve also heard they intended to cut them down so no one could hide behind the trunks. How ridiculous, are they going to chop down every tree that staff may walk by on their way home? Seems pretty simple. I'm with Dr Waldron, she seems to have some common sense, [probably be her downfall]

6th January 2009, 08:12 PM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! Could also put reflective stuff on the path edges too so at night you can see the edge just like driving along a road. __________________ 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

6th January 2009, 09:16 PM	#6
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! The company doing the audit need outcomes to be paid there fees,blaming the trees is just soooo easy. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

6th January 2009, 11:01 PM	#7
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! Wtf?the tree needs 10 mteres removed from it?topping i assume. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

8th January 2009, 05:55 PM	#8
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! $25,000-30,000 to lop 2 trees

20th May 2009, 08:51 PM	#10
letigre Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 157	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! morons utter morons. even if a tree has been lopped you can still subordinate the epicormic growth to maintain as much foliage as possible.not that it had to be pruned at all by the sounds of it. listen to that 'arborist', he knows hes done the wrong thing, just wants to blame someone else and cop a pay check. tree lopping prostitute son of a b@tch. __________________ sticks before chicks

20th May 2009, 10:05 PM	#11
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! I knew even before that this would happen. Why? I live here and know how these idiots think. __________________ 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

15th February 2012, 03:02 PM	#13
Paul Goodall Sappling Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toowoomba QLD Posts: 35	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! Anyone ever revisit these to see how they grew after the lop or if they're even still there?

15th February 2012, 04:26 PM	#14
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Queensland Health Thick As Bricks! Oh crap! I was in that town not that long ago and didn't go and see, twice I have been there recently. __________________ 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

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Queensland OHS info for Arborists	Eric Frei	Local law regs, start thread with County then State then Country	4	14th October 2008 07:42 AM
dealing with plane trees and the personal health problems they create	chadd	General Tree Chat	11	26th August 2008 02:56 PM
Redcliffe Shire, Queensland	rangitata	Local law regs, start thread with County then State then Country	0	30th March 2007 03:15 PM
Soil Health	Eric Frei	Tree Information and Facts	0	28th January 2007 01:31 PM