Funny what motivates people to cut trees down.

Eric Frei · 14th September 2009, 09:35 PM

Now I read this article.

Council urged to save bunya pine | Local News | Grafton Daily Examiner

Quote:

ONE of Grafton's most historically important trees may be saved, thanks to a recommendation by the Clarence Valley Council Environment, Economic and Community Committee.

The tree, a 27-metre-high bunya pine in Pound Street, is believed to be the oldest surviving tree in Grafton to be planted by European settlers.

It is believed that former Grafton mayor, Samuel Avery, planted the bunya pine in the 1840s.

The pine stands on the boundary of a private residence and the owner has applied to remove the tree to make way for a sound-reducing fence.

As well, a safety issue was raised involving concerns about the large cones that fall from bunya pines, potentially injuring anyone walking underneath.

The cones can weigh up to 10 kilograms and is the reason most of Grafton's bunya pines were removed during the 1940s and 1950s.

Although the tree is believed to be the oldest planted in Grafton, council officers recommended removing a protection order on the pine and allow the owner of the property to remove it.

This was despite a council report stating that a tree report showed the bunya pine was in a healthy condition.

The council report also stated the tree was 'significant to the Grafton community in terms of historical, social and cultural significance, landscape and aesthetic significance and its rarity'.

Mayor Richie Williamson said he was concerned about allowing such an historically-important piece of Grafton to be cut down.

He said too much of Grafton's history had already been lost and it was important to think carefully about such decisions.

"It's really important to preserve our heritage. This tree is historically important because it was planted in the 1840s and I think it's important to preserve what we have left in our built-up areas," he said.

So thinking I could find the tree on Google Street View I started looking, pity I started down the other end of the bloody street inching my way up till I found this bugger right at the other end.

Now have a look at it, the location and the so called reasoning for a sound-reducing fence. Like are they going to cut the other trees down too? Why not move the fence back a little and ensure a construction method of minimal impact, posts!

Those unfamiliar with google street view click the link and you can drag the picture around to see different angles.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Pound+St,+Grafton+NSW+2460&ie=UTF8&hl=en&cd=1&geocode=FTT8Ov4dm5QdCQ&split=0&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=38.161973,47.373047&ll=-29.681915,152.922773&spn=0.001314,0.004823&z=18&layer=c&cbll=-29.681855,152.922699&panoid=x9VVh-4noXbOt1Hl4GZnkA&cbp=12,59.51,,0,-9.82

Apocalypsse · 14th September 2009, 09:46 PM

Is that how its supposed to grow? Doesnt look right with such a large trunk.

Eric Frei · 14th September 2009, 09:47 PM

Copy of email sent to Clarence Valley Council.

Quote:

Recently I read in the paper about a Bunya pine tree on Pound street being saved.

I run Australia's largest arborist forum and featured the story there.

Funny what motivates people to cut trees down.

A suggestion, as a consulting arborist is for a low tree impact design, posts could be put down closer to the tree and bridge the trunk flare. There are many alternatives to cutting the tree down and the owner getting their fence. holes can be vac-u-digged so roots are not cut.

As a consulting arborist I deal with these issues all the time, recently in Tweed a co-owned tree right on the fence line with councilwas protected, we simply designed the fence to built to the tree with a small gap between the tree and the fence. There's many options that save the tree and can give the owners the fence they want.

Hopefully in the thread I have at www.treeworld.info I found the right house on Google.

Thanks
Eric Frei

Eric Frei · 14th September 2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apocalypsse

Is that how its supposed to grow? Doesnt look right with such a large trunk.

That's pretty much how they grow up here.

Sean Freeman · 14th September 2009, 11:42 PM

A good email to the council Eric

, I have many examples of similar adaptations to fences when neighbours value a tree on their property line.

Certainly not an either/or situation, both the fence and the tree can co-exist.

Garry Brockley · 15th September 2009, 06:59 AM

Absoloutely why people cant see that its just as easy to keep a tree in the fence line is beyond me a good fencer would work that out easily.
good email eric

Bruce Hopf · 16th September 2009, 12:04 PM

Some people are so Bullheaded (

), that they will push to have things go their way, without looking at an alternative, like you have suggested here Ekka.
Would having a post pounded in, by a post pounder work, or would that cut the tree roots, as the post goes in the ground. (I'm new to this sort of stuff, so don't yell at me too loud, please

). Bruce.

Eric Frei · 16th September 2009, 07:10 PM

I have recommended post pounding, there's galv steel posts that last decades, quick check for roots first though and pound away, no concreting required.

Sean Freeman · 16th September 2009, 07:51 PM

Don't forget to protect the soil and roots from compaction if heavy machinery is required to be driven or tracked over the root plate.

Eric Frei · 16th September 2009, 07:56 PM

I saw these guys pounding in Km's of steel C-Channel on the Logan Motorway, no pilot hole, nothing, even pounded it straight through the bitumin and then they bolt the rail up.

Dang good idea, fast, effective.

Sean Freeman · 16th September 2009, 09:54 PM

Ha ha, yes I drove past those road works too on many occasions.

Q.Q. · 16th September 2009, 11:25 PM

Good Idea Ekka never thought of that, will keep it in mind. Definalty the right way.

It would never take out here though, too far out and the bottom line is money for alot of people.

Bruce Hopf · 16th September 2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Q.Q.

Good Idea Ekka never thought of that, will keep it in mind. Definalty the right way.

It would never take out here though, too far out and the bottom line is money for alot of people.

Exactly, the all mighty Dollar. Bruce.

Straw · 23rd September 2009, 04:39 PM

I always like to see a health tree be saved. To many times people in the states just cut them down for the lamest reasons. Good for you Ekka for sending the email and making the post. /cheers

pnwarborist · 24th September 2009, 11:24 AM

There is a group in Oregon striving to protect all trees.

Ascending the Giants

Urban Treecare NZ · 26th September 2009, 09:43 AM

The tree looks good and healthy and has a very columnar shape compared to the way they grow here... They have a broadly spreading crown here... Im prity sure that the one in Hamilton Gardens where wintec is located has been de-coned for safety in the past, Shouldnt be an issue with the location of that tree though... Any word from the Council Ekka?

Eric Frei · 26th September 2009, 09:56 AM

No word from them. Pretty usual though.

14th September 2009, 09:46 PM	#2
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. Is that how its supposed to grow? Doesnt look right with such a large trunk.

14th September 2009, 11:42 PM	#5
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. A good email to the council Eric, I have many examples of similar adaptations to fences when neighbours value a tree on their property line. Certainly not an either/or situation, both the fence and the tree can co-exist.

15th September 2009, 06:59 AM	#6
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. Absoloutely why people cant see that its just as easy to keep a tree in the fence line is beyond me a good fencer would work that out easily. good email eric __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

16th September 2009, 12:04 PM	#7
Bruce Hopf Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North of Sebringville, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,167	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. Some people are so Bullheaded (), that they will push to have things go their way, without looking at an alternative, like you have suggested here Ekka. Would having a post pounded in, by a post pounder work, or would that cut the tree roots, as the post goes in the ground. (I'm new to this sort of stuff, so don't yell at me too loud, please ). Bruce. __________________ McCulloch chain saws 1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's, 2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener, 1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver 2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10 Stihl chain saws 2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084, Strunk chain saws 1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

16th September 2009, 07:10 PM	#8
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. I have recommended post pounding, there's galv steel posts that last decades, quick check for roots first though and pound away, no concreting required. __________________ 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

16th September 2009, 07:51 PM	#9
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. Don't forget to protect the soil and roots from compaction if heavy machinery is required to be driven or tracked over the root plate.

16th September 2009, 07:56 PM	#10
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. I saw these guys pounding in Km's of steel C-Channel on the Logan Motorway, no pilot hole, nothing, even pounded it straight through the bitumin and then they bolt the rail up. Dang good idea, fast, effective. __________________ 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

16th September 2009, 09:54 PM	#11
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. Ha ha, yes I drove past those road works too on many occasions.

16th September 2009, 11:25 PM	#12
Q.Q. Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Western QLD. Australia Posts: 282	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. Good Idea Ekka never thought of that, will keep it in mind. Definalty the right way. It would never take out here though, too far out and the bottom line is money for alot of people. __________________ Q,Q's Tree & Garden Maintenance FAMILARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT

23rd September 2009, 04:39 PM	#14
Straw Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Earth Posts: 61	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. I always like to see a health tree be saved. To many times people in the states just cut them down for the lamest reasons. Good for you Ekka for sending the email and making the post. /cheers

24th September 2009, 11:24 AM	#15
pnwarborist I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 2	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. There is a group in Oregon striving to protect all trees. Ascending the Giants

26th September 2009, 09:43 AM	#16
Urban Treecare NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Level 4) + Diploma in Arboriculture (Level 6) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 256	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. The tree looks good and healthy and has a very columnar shape compared to the way they grow here... They have a broadly spreading crown here... Im prity sure that the one in Hamilton Gardens where wintec is located has been de-coned for safety in the past, Shouldnt be an issue with the location of that tree though... Any word from the Council Ekka? __________________ www.urbantree.co.nz www.urbantreecare.co.nz

26th September 2009, 09:56 AM	#17
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Funny what motivates people to cut trees down. No word from them. Pretty usual though. __________________ 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

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