Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old| Ekka makes news comment

Jeff Darby · 7th December 2010, 06:51 PM

You would think they would have good maintenance in a resort and in saying that you would definitely think they would have noticed a dead palm regardless if it had a vine growing up it or not !

Or was it it'll be alright jack! Copping out and calling it an accident is easy to say when it's not your loved one thats been killed.

Maintenance is supposed to pick up on these things before the worst happens... it's called preventative maintenance..

Quote:

Hi to all in tree world. I am the Auntie of the little boy killed in Port Douglas by a falling palm tree - Owen St Sept 2008. Coronial draft has come back tragic acciident. What can we reccomend be done so no other family ever has to feel the pain we still feel. The report said the palm had been dead for at least 12 months but no one noticed as there ws a healthy vine growing on it. I have been reading comments and it seems some of you may hve suggestions. please help so no one else should ever need to say godbye to a loved one.

debbie

I really feel for you and yours and can only imagine the deep feelings and anger of why did this happen.

gkn · 7th December 2010, 08:22 PM

2008 what the hell is that , it,s 12,12, 2010, is this a realtime site or not

Eric Frei · 7th December 2010, 09:59 PM

Your sensitivity to a tragic death is noted fool.

Banned.

Jeff Darby · 8th December 2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkn

2008 what the hell is that , it,s 12,12, 2010, is this a realtime site or not

I watched you taking your time to post ! thinking about should I post it or not? yes it is an assumption by me ! and to post such a heartless post...begone heartless fool

Garry Brockley · 8th December 2010, 05:53 AM

Websters dictionary defines an accident as . Anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause; "winning the lottery was a happy accident"; "it was due to an accident or fortuity"

therefore this situation was not an accident or by chance it was caused by a lack of due care on the resorts part.
We all at some point come accross these trees in our everyday lives doing what we do. there should be rules setting out the required inspection and maintenance of trees in resorts, so that there is a clear standard to work to i.e. annually, post storms, floods ect we all do tree maintenance scheduling in our level III hort arb so it's not an alien thing to us, however the general public seem unaware that we are trained to offer this kind of service, so maybe it's partly our fault too for not selling our services correctly.

GKN that was in extremely bad taste!!! A word to the wise please read the previous posts before you post

Debbie · 8th December 2010, 11:40 AM

Thank you to those of you with your helpful thoughts
One thing I must clear up the Traveller's palm tree was in Owen St Port Douglas and not in a resort. Property was owned by A Plaza the my nephew and his father were walking on the footpath owned by council at the time my nephew died.

Eric Frei · 8th December 2010, 05:37 PM

So who owned the palm? A Plaza? Who or what is that?

Garry Brockley · 8th December 2010, 05:56 PM

The google maps pic looks to be either a Body corp or new housing development, maybe plaza is port douglas version of a Body corp

Debbie · 8th December 2010, 06:44 PM

tree is port plaza pty ltd - so again if anyone can help with information to tkae to the coroner i would really appreciate

Eric Frei · 8th December 2010, 06:57 PM

Regardless of who the owner is the same discussion applies, whether that be a council, plaza or resort.

Where walkways and thoroughfares invite traffic there is greater responsibility upon the tree-owner to ensure safety.

In NSW even the RTA is under fire for their poor management of roadside trees.

Dural residents fear more old trees will fall on them - Council - News - Hills Shire Times

Quote:

7 Dec 10
RESIDENTS in rural areas live in fear that huge dying trees line their roads and could topple at any minute.

People who drive on Old Northern Rd between Dural and Canoelands admitted they were terrified that they will meet the same fate as young mother Heidi Edwards, who was crushed in a freak incident when a large dead tree fell on her car and on to her head in May.

Last month, another young mother was driving through Dural with her newborn baby in the car when a tree fell and smashed through her windscreen.

Both escaped unhurt.

Rural residents are just waiting to happen and again.

Leading the charge is Mrs Edwards’ husband, Simon.

Mr Edwards has volunteered with the Rural Fire Service for 17 years and estimated that 10 trees or large branches fell across Old Northern Rd each year.

“I haven’t spoken to one single person who hasn’t said, ‘this has been going on for years’. No one will listen,” Mr Edwards said.

After his wife’s accident Mr Edwards hired an arborist who said the gum tree which hit her was one of three dangerous ones in the area.

Within weeks, a second one fell but did not hit anyone.

“My six-year-old daughter sits in the car pointing, saying, ‘that one, that one ... ‘, dangerous trees aren’t hard to pick out,” he said.

Tanya Koorey, a friend of the Edwards family, said something must be done to allay community fears.

“I haven’t spoken to one person who doesn’t look at branches overhanging the road,” Mrs Koorey said.

“It was something I never thought about before Heidi’s accident. It’s quite scary. It makes you stop and think.”

Mr Edwards would like to see a regular inspection program implemented.

“It’s simple: you have one guy in a car driving around every couple of months,” he said.

“It’s only that they’ve left it so long that it’s such a big problem now.”

Maroota Rural Fire Service captain Kevin Hitchcock said he knew of six cars damaged by fallen trees in the past 10 years.

``This is not the first tree to have fallen across Old Northern Rd, but probably not to the severity of what happened to Heidi,’’ Mr Hitchcock said.

Hawkesbury State Liberal MP Ray Williams blamed the RTA for incompetence.

``The RTA say they do regular patrols to remove dangerous trees but it’s a lie,’’ he said.

An RTA spokesman said the organisation would meet with council and the RFS to discuss their concerns.

``Where potentially hazardous tree branches are identified on RTA-controlled roads the RTA (will) remove them.’’ he said.

Hornsby Mayor Nick Berman said motorists were best placed to report dangerous trees.

What can be done to prevent damage from killer trees? - Council - News - Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate

Quote:

SIMON EDWARDS, husband of Heidi who was crushed when a large tree fell on her car, would like to see a regular inspection program implemented.

“It’s simple: you have one guy in a car driving around every couple of months,” he said.

“It’s only that they’ve left it so long that it’s such a big problem now.” [Do you have a solution? Would you join a community working bee to remove dangerous trees? Comment, below]

Maroota Rural Fire Service captain Kevin Hitchcock said he knew of six cars damaged by fallen trees in the past 10 years.

“This is not the first tree to have fallen across Old Northern Rd, but probably not to the severity of what happened to Heidi,” Mr Hitchcock said.

Hawkesbury State Liberal MP Ray Williams blamed the RTA for incompetence.

“The RTA say they do regular patrols to remove dangerous trees but it’s a lie,” he said.

An RTA spokesman said the organisation would meet with council and the RFS to discuss their concerns.

“Where potentially hazardous tree branches are identified on RTA-controlled roads the RTA (will) remove them ...” he said.

Hornsby Mayor Nick Berman said motorists were best placed to report dangerous trees. To report them: RTA, 132 213, the council, 9847 6666, or email hsc@hornsby.nsw.gov.au

In this thread you can see the argument against the council saying a so called accident was an act of God

Palm frond smashes windscreen| council claims Act of God

Here's some more.

Fallen trees| negligence vs Act of God

Debbie · 8th December 2010, 08:31 PM

Thank you so much for your help.
You have no idea how helpful you have been to myself. My brother and siser in law are not able to deal with it and have asked me to. This is a huge responsibilty and I have to do it right. Jasper was their only child.
So I also have to get this right for him.

Sylvatica · 19th December 2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotahippie

Falling palm tree kills boy, 4 - Local News - Cairns, QLD, Australia

How sad and unbelivable.

Wow, I'm startin' to hate palms too. I'd like to see some pics of the root ball/or broken stem...

I feel real bad for the parents.

The 'palm tree' in question isn't a palm at all, but rather what is called a Traveller's Palm (Syagrus), a relative of bananas and so aren't woody at all.
Very tragic story- I have a 4 year old myself but I can't imagine what the poor parents are going thru!

Eric Frei · 19th December 2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvatica

The 'palm tree' in question isn't a palm at all, but rather what is called a Traveller's Palm (Syagrus), a relative of bananas and so aren't woody at all.
Very tragic story- I have a 4 year old myself but I can't imagine what the poor parents are going thru!

Not accurate, neither was it for me to say it's in the same family as bananas. Some info at Wiki here:-

Ravenala madagascariensis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The travellers palm belongs to Strelitziaceae family (bird of paradise) and the syagrus (cocos palm) belongs to the Arecaceae family .... a Traveller's Palm is not Syagrus.

As to what is a palm, tree or shrub it's confusing to not only lay people but also us as the reasoning and debates occur due to taxonomic classifications, for the everyday folk I'm sure calling it a palm is more appropriate than calling it a tree or plant.

We have to keep it pretty accurate if it's being referenced for a coroner.

TrevMcRev · 19th December 2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkn

2008 what the hell is that , it,s 12,12, 2010, is this a realtime site or not

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debbie

Hi to all in tree world. I am the Auntie of the little boy killed in Port Douglas by a falling palm tree - Owen St Sept 2008. Coronial draft has come back tragic acciident. What can we reccomend be done so no other family ever has to feel the pain we still feel. The report said the palm had been dead for at least 12 months but no one noticed as there ws a healthy vine growing on it. I have been reading comments and it seems some of you may hve suggestions. please help so no one else should ever need to say godbye to a loved one.

debbie

So after posts winding up in 2008, family of the passed child contribute to the thread in 2010 with the coroners findings seeking help and you have a problem with that

Eric Frei · 20th December 2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

So after posts winding up in 2008, family of the passed child contribute to the thread in 2010 with the coroners findings seeking help and you have a problem with that

That's why the insensitive fool is banned, cant get the big picture and only arrives to spit venom.... typical troll.

Debbie asks arborists for input, the coroners report is in draft meaning there's opportunity for input, opportunity to make change and assist others in seeing things the way we see them ..... and some choose to squander that for the sake of being an ass.

Do not forget the number of times we have helped people, like John Duthie who was seriously injured at a school watching sports day.

So in real time gkn could have made a real difference but chose to be a typical troll.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 20th December 2010, 10:25 AM

Debbie,

my heart goes out to you and your family, such a tragic event, losing a young child in that way.

Perhaps a recommendation you could make is that this particular species of Ravenala should never be planted, nor be allowed to remain where there is public access.

Time and time again I see this species incorporated by designers into their designs as it has such a strong architectural element, but they do not take into account that this species, whilst young looks great, eventually grows into a trunk-ed specimen that holds great weight at height and the additional weight of water held in the leaf sheaths.

This species is not suitable to be used where people regularly frequent, it should not be used in shopping centres nor car parks as I frequently observe. Existing specimens should be removed as a potential danger to the public. There are many more suitable species that can be used in the design stage that pose no future threat to public safety.

Once again my heart goes to you and the parents, such an unimaginable tragic loss, and one that could have been avoided in the initial stages of design of the plaza.

Julie

7th December 2010, 08:22 PM	#32
gkn Former Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: at home Posts: 14	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment 2008 what the hell is that , it,s 12,12, 2010, is this a realtime site or not

7th December 2010, 09:59 PM	#33
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment Your sensitivity to a tragic death is noted fool. Banned. __________________ 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

8th December 2010, 05:53 AM	#35
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment Websters dictionary defines an accident as . Anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause; "winning the lottery was a happy accident"; "it was due to an accident or fortuity" therefore this situation was not an accident or by chance it was caused by a lack of due care on the resorts part. We all at some point come accross these trees in our everyday lives doing what we do. there should be rules setting out the required inspection and maintenance of trees in resorts, so that there is a clear standard to work to i.e. annually, post storms, floods ect we all do tree maintenance scheduling in our level III hort arb so it's not an alien thing to us, however the general public seem unaware that we are trained to offer this kind of service, so maybe it's partly our fault too for not selling our services correctly. GKN that was in extremely bad taste!!! A word to the wise please read the previous posts before you post __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

8th December 2010, 11:40 AM	#36
Debbie Sappling Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 5	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment Thank you to those of you with your helpful thoughts One thing I must clear up the Traveller's palm tree was in Owen St Port Douglas and not in a resort. Property was owned by A Plaza the my nephew and his father were walking on the footpath owned by council at the time my nephew died.

8th December 2010, 05:37 PM	#37
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment So who owned the palm? A Plaza? Who or what is that? __________________ 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

8th December 2010, 05:56 PM	#38
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment The google maps pic looks to be either a Body corp or new housing development, maybe plaza is port douglas version of a Body corp __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

8th December 2010, 06:44 PM	#39
Debbie Sappling Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 5	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment tree is port plaza pty ltd - so again if anyone can help with information to tkae to the coroner i would really appreciate

8th December 2010, 08:31 PM	#41
Debbie Sappling Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 5	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment Thank you so much for your help. You have no idea how helpful you have been to myself. My brother and siser in law are not able to deal with it and have asked me to. This is a huge responsibilty and I have to do it right. Jasper was their only child. So I also have to get this right for him.

20th December 2010, 10:25 AM	#46
jmcg.insight.gardens Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mannering Park, Australia Posts: 623	Re: Falling Palm Tree Kills 4yr. Old\| Ekka makes news comment Debbie, my heart goes out to you and your family, such a tragic event, losing a young child in that way. Perhaps a recommendation you could make is that this particular species of Ravenala should never be planted, nor be allowed to remain where there is public access. Time and time again I see this species incorporated by designers into their designs as it has such a strong architectural element, but they do not take into account that this species, whilst young looks great, eventually grows into a trunk-ed specimen that holds great weight at height and the additional weight of water held in the leaf sheaths. This species is not suitable to be used where people regularly frequent, it should not be used in shopping centres nor car parks as I frequently observe. Existing specimens should be removed as a potential danger to the public. There are many more suitable species that can be used in the design stage that pose no future threat to public safety. Once again my heart goes to you and the parents, such an unimaginable tragic loss, and one that could have been avoided in the initial stages of design of the plaza. Julie

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