Dissecting a through bolted Moreton Bay Fig

Eric Frei

Around 1999 - 2000 a large Moreton Bay Fig was transplanted to make way for the Hale Street bypass in Brisbane.

The tree was unstable and was ground anchored using 4 steel bollards and 5 cables. The attachment of the cables to the tree was done using 30mm threaded rod.

The resting location just happened to be in 2011 where the new tunnel entry would be.

It was decided the tree would be cut down due to the likelihood it would handle another relocation, it had poor anchoring root development and increased decay.

The tree was cut down on Monday 18 July 2011, I was fortunate (and thank you) to secure a section with the bolt in it to dissect.

Here's the Youtube video in Blueray quality HDV


Here's the newspaper link

Saw point as historic fig finally falls | Courier Mail

__________________

Jeff Darby

Great video and good observations, the through bolt was still doing its job ten years on and probably wood have...pardon the pun, for another ten plus years. Interesting... It would have been good to see all the bolt holes dissected. not many people would have gone to the troubles to go and get the cut section let alone post their findings on the net..Treeworld

__________________

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

Garry Brockley

Great find eric!
its interesting how little rot there was around the bolted section considering the bolts went into a rotting tree kind of holds up your hypothesis about drilling being the best way to cable.

__________________

Eric Frei

Imagine how little affect there would be if you swabbed and lubricated plus put a wand down the hole of trichoderma solution prior to hardware installation.

Also I'm sure that hardware is steel, looks like normal steel not galv or stainless so there was rust. I dare say if galv or stainless was used you'd see less reaction.

__________________

jasonsykes

Excellent video, subscribed to that channel.