CC25406256 Callitris columellaris Report

Eric Frei

Urgent tree removal request in VPO regulated area lodged approx 4pm Thursday 11 September 2008 to Cassandra of BCC call centre.

Was notified that had 10 days to submit report displaying reasoning for urgent removal.

Unable to find a proper email address on BCC website to email attachments, rang call centre to be told they dont know any email addresses to Environmental Management Team. Unable to simply email a report but able to fill in generic website with link to this thread fulfilling my obligation to send report. You can download this thread etc.

Report is in simple format here

Site: 905 Manly Rd Tingalpa QLD 4173 Nestle Inn Caravan Park.

Notified by park manager tree was drilled by Pest Controller and hollow, not much "shavings" and tree has two trunks and lean in high target area.

Tree is: Callitris columellaris (Bribie Island Pine), approx 20m height and 800mm DBH just below bifarcation.



Targets marked in red.



Lower section of trunk below the tight co-dominant stem showing many wound-wood rolls, usually a reaction by the tree to reinforce a weakness. Note the large wound from pruning off a large limb, likely cause of cavity.



Carefully excavated around trunk to find dominant tension root, was only one going beneath cabin. Soil was heaving slightly and inline with this root, no other soil heave nearby. Soil was extremely dry and easy to dig, sandy loam.



Once we had cut the tree down we found a star picket inside the tree. Had to get an angle grinder to remove it low enough to grind the stump beneath ground. The red circle show where the co-dominant stems went to ground. As we cut the low section into a log it fell apart. When we stump ground deeper it was very hollow.



This was a high traffic and target area always occupied. This species ability to seal wounds with growth is poor. There was no habitat at all using this tree, no nests or scratches. We hazard taped off the area and removed the tree Friday 12 September prior to the weekend rush.

The alternative to removal would have been cabling/bolting and reduction. Reducing this symmetrical specimen would be unsightly and introduce a decay column. The tree had been crown raised to accommodate the 11,000 volt wires nearby, making it top heavy and offering less opportunity to reduce.

Evaluating the options and conditions the immediate decision for removal was made and executed promptly. Upon completion of the stump grind and post VTA analysis it was the correct thing to do and evidence show within to support such. No doubt the source of the decay, cavity and root upheaval was all attributed to "mankind intervention". Although buildings are elevated and not damaging roots they alter the soil micro climate and moisture ... buildings have roofs and drains. On the other side of the tree was a path and nearby an electric light, inside the tree a steel star picket. All of these factors are man made.

Furthermore the trees form was poor. At an early age that tree could have had one of those stems removed, it's reasonable to assume that the tree was planted due to the star picket as a stake for it... perhaps also a poor nursery specimen.

Regards
Eric Frei

Fellow arborists etc feel free to comment below.

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Jeff Darby

Given the high target area of this tree being in a caravan park I feel you made the right decision to remove before some innocent person paid with there life.
Considering the evidence you presented with your pictures and your logical reasoning behind them I too would have removed this specimem.

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© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

Knotahippie

I hate working near power lines.

Looks pretty dangerous, craked to the ground! bet the customer wanted it out quick!

What's the story on pull tests in AU?

Sean Freeman

In the case of emergency work, which is what you are saying this is, BCC have no problem with you undertaking the work then providing documentation after the fact....(At least that is my reading of the Natural Assets Local Law)

In terms of wishing to undertake work on protected vegetation you prehaps would have been better asking the switch for an officer dealing with Natural Assets Local Law, but even then you may have had no luck getting someone to talk to or an email address to send your brief report.

Steve Tipton

Seems strange that this tree was protected after seeing all the good eucs etc that get hacked in Qld.
How do they work all this out???????????????

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Heightmaster

newguy18

good call Eric,i'm assuming it was done from a bucket,kinda risky if it had to be climbed.Kinda wondering why that species of pine is protected.

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old schooler

Eric Frei

Yes, done it out of a bucket.

Whole area has tree protection etc regardless of size or species ... waterways protection etc.

BCC does have confusing and overlapping tree protection orders ... this park is full of Pinus elliottii, classified a weed by them yet protected under the VPO's cover this land! Many vans etc get bombarded all night long with falling cones, deadwood too which has speared through annexes.

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newguy18

Gotta love slash pines,nasty things.

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old schooler

treeseer

I don't question the outcome but...

Is Callitris that decay-prone that a decay column would be inevitable if reduced ~1/3?

Is it so unresponsive--i.e. no new growth--that it would be "unsightly" for long? And from which lines of sight?

How much did the basal decay column taper as it went upward?

You mentioned support as an alternative, but how much did you consider it? How many have you installed?

Re the elliottii, overraising has increased risk from root, stem and branch failure.. If the litter falling is a nuisance, the campers can pay for annual crown cleaning.

newguy18

Guy,over there they are a weed,which means they're up for removal at any time,at the owners whim.Oh well,at least over there at least some species and areas are protected.

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old schooler

Knotahippie

A weed is a plant that man hasn't found a use for yet...That ain't no weed.

Eric Frei

In red is answers as appropriate.

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Gunslinger

Could someone explain how a test like this is performed? Does drilling a hole into a healthy tree damage the tree and affect it's longevity?

Knotahippie

Old and damaged trees sometimes have very little conducting tissue. Drilling does break important physical and chemical barrier zones but I think tech. is pretty common. Is that a bad thing?.

There's alot of new decay detection methods but are rarely used due to expense.

newguy18

I usually smack the suspected tree with the backside of an axe or a hammer,if its hollow chances are you'll hear it.Doesn't matter around here as 9 times outta 10 if the h.o thinks for a second it has rot they start asking how much to remove it.

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old schooler

Eric Frei

I often drill them with a 1/8" bit, check resistance and swarf.

With a small hole like that it makes it not so bad to drill a few spots.

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willem

Our company bought this device recently. A good device to show decay in trees, especialy when clients don't have much arboknowledge. Easy to show the discolouration. It's expensive but can even give 3d pictures.

WOOD ARBOTOM

p.s. and non-invasive

Knotahippie

Cool stuff Willem,

Worth a thousand words...