the Separation Tree| Royal Botanic Garden| Vandalised

Eric Frei · 20th August 2010, 06:47 PM

The picture says it all ....

'Sickening' attack on historic tree - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Quote:

Victorian police are investigating an attack on one of Australia's most significant trees, the Separation Tree, in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Police say an axe, machete or tomahawk was probably used to ringbark a 40 centimetre strip around the massive tree's trunk.

The tree occupies a prominent place in the gardens.

The River Red gum was mature when it was chosen to commemorate the separation of Victoria from New South Wales in 1851.

The Gardens' CEO, Dr Phillip Moors, says the damage is pointless.

He says he has no idea who could have planned such an offence.

"It's really such a premeditated and sickening thing to do to a fantastic old tree, a tree that's been here for hundreds of years," he said.

"To have this done to it, you just don't understand it, do you?"

Dr Moors says the senseless damage to a tree that predates European settlement is an insult to the entire community.

"To do something like this is really a slap in the face for the community, as much as for us at the Royal Botanic Gardens and to the Separation Tree itself," he said.

Davo The Terrible · 20th August 2010, 09:24 PM

That's terrible - any thoughts on a remedy? Reckon a few hundred bridge grafts would work?

dov · 20th August 2010, 10:57 PM

Hard to say without closeups, but it looks a bit like they missed a lot of the cambium layer. Bridge grafts to help it through though. Lets hope for some rain this Summer to give that tree a chance. At least the season has been very wet so far this year so the tree should have a bit of reserve to help it though.

glennak · 20th August 2010, 11:34 PM

The bit on the right hand side looks bad but the rest looks like it maybe OK. Just as well someone stupid enough to do this was not bright enough to do a proper ringbark job.

dov · 21st August 2010, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennak

The bit on the right hand side looks bad but the rest looks like it maybe OK. Just as well someone stupid enough to do this was not bright enough to do a proper ringbark job.

Let's just hope the media lets it sit as a done job so they don't try and do it again.

The tree is bad enough, but this is about RESPECT. The people who did this are scum cos they don't have any respect.

treeshaveneeds · 21st August 2010, 09:08 AM

Hopefully they try bridge grafting immediately. This is probably why in a number of parks in the US and Canada, venerable old trees have fences around them. Maybe they should also be electrified.

Does red gum bark have any medicinal qualities?

Eric Frei · 21st August 2010, 10:47 AM

Dismay after historic tree hacked

Quote:

Arborists will take up to two days to assess the damage and whether the tree is likely to survive

derwoodii · 21st August 2010, 09:34 PM

This is vile.

Police are investigating the attack, including the possibility it was a political statement linked to the election.

Perhaps an evil political statement the timings right, I will offer another idea. Extortion by threat to unguarded public icons. A letter of demand is on the Premiers desk saying. Damage or harm to things of public value unless payment made to.... This despicable act was a warning or proof of ability.
Stand over tactics for money is well know in Eastern block country's. This is depraved and not of this country so I say an import.

They get off the plane and go to the City's gallery's gardens zoos the next attack if we dont pay will be an unsecured site of public interest.
I do hope I am wrong but.

treeshaveneeds · 5th September 2010, 12:09 PM

The arborists have had a couple of weeks -- Is the tree going to survive? Are they going to use bridge grafting? The wait and see approach? Or still trying to make a decision?

dov · 5th September 2010, 03:38 PM

I've tried to do some digging online, but the RBG are keeping mum about it. Not even an official press statement about the incident.

Apocalypsse · 6th September 2010, 07:48 PM

Yea they used bridge grafting.

treeshaveneeds · 7th September 2010, 04:48 AM

Then likely the tree has a better than 50:50 survival chance.

Gavo · 9th September 2010, 12:36 AM

I am disgusted. how sad that some low-life would try and inflict mortal wounds to a tree such as that. I've seen some bad things done to trees, but this is one of the worst. I hope it survives.

derwoodii · 3rd October 2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derwoodii

This is vile.

Police are investigating the attack, including the possibility it was a political statement linked to the election.

Perhaps an evil political statement the timings right, I will offer another idea. Extortion by threat to unguarded public icons. A letter of demand is on the Premiers desk saying. Damage or harm to things of public value unless payment made to.... This despicable act was a warning or proof of ability.
Stand over tactics for money is well know in Eastern block country's. This is depraved and not of this country so I say an import.

They get off the plane and go to the City's gallery's gardens zoos the next attack if we dont pay will be an unsecured site of public interest.
I do hope I am wrong but.

Act #2. I,m gettin a bad feeling about this. Perhaps or hope just nutters using trees as an outlet. Hmm but they are organized planning and targeting well.

Vandals cause $1 million tree damage in Belgrave | Herald Sun

Another Tree Vandal Attack!

Gavo · 4th October 2010, 05:54 PM

Anyone have any news on how the tree is doing now?

Eric Frei · 14th November 2010, 11:59 AM

Tree is going good.

Victoria celebrates independence | Herald Sun

Quote:

November 13, 2010

MELBOURNE'S historic Separation Tree may be bruised and battered but it was the star of Victorian Independence celebrations today.

The Royal Botanic Gardens landmark is swaddled in a blanket, barricades and technical equipment to monitor its moisture levels following a ringbarking attack, but it was still the site of the annual re-enactment of the Proclamation of Separation of the 160th anniversary of Victoria's independence.

The event, including a Town Crier, Victorian colonial infantry and women dressed in period dress, is celebrated each year, according to Victoria Day Council spokesman Norman Kennedy.

"We were lucky to still be able to meet at the Separation Tree which looks as though it's going to survive and is looking very good,'' Mr Kennedy said.

The Separation Tree is a symbolic reminder of Victorian Statehood, pre-dating European settlement and is thought to have been significant to the aboriginal community at the time of settlement.

Victorian academic and historian Dr Anthony Cree said the anniversary is an important day in the state's history.

"Had independence not occurred, Victoria would still be a far-flung outpost of New South Wales,'' Dr Cree said.

"Independence has given us our own culture and ethos. We should all be proud of our independence.''

derwoodii · 30th July 2011, 09:53 PM

Almost a year on and heres some pictures. I can't say a great deal of recovery seen I'm sure they got it in best hands but I was expecting to see some cambium regrowth or its bubbling development or a bark graft attempt but saw no evidence of that. The trees heath & vigour seems Ok not great but as not observed over the last year its hard to tell.

Eric Frei · 30th July 2011, 10:44 PM

Thanks for that.

Are we taking bets on D Day (death day)?

derwoodii · 30th July 2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

Thanks for that.

Are we taking bets on D Day (death day)?

Gee hope not but sadly tis on the cards. Did I post this pic?? It shows me thinks white Mycelium creepin over the wound.

Eric Frei · 30th July 2011, 11:17 PM

Ahhh, nothing stem injections of sugar water cannot overcome.

20th August 2010, 10:57 PM	#3
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 651	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Hard to say without closeups, but it looks a bit like they missed a lot of the cambium layer. Bridge grafts to help it through though. Lets hope for some rain this Summer to give that tree a chance. At least the season has been very wet so far this year so the tree should have a bit of reserve to help it though. __________________

20th August 2010, 11:34 PM	#4
glennak Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 179	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised The bit on the right hand side looks bad but the rest looks like it maybe OK. Just as well someone stupid enough to do this was not bright enough to do a proper ringbark job.

21st August 2010, 09:08 AM	#6
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Hopefully they try bridge grafting immediately. This is probably why in a number of parks in the US and Canada, venerable old trees have fences around them. Maybe they should also be electrified. Does red gum bark have any medicinal qualities?

21st August 2010, 09:34 PM	#8
derwoodii Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 407	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised This is vile. Police are investigating the attack, including the possibility it was a political statement linked to the election. Perhaps an evil political statement the timings right, I will offer another idea. Extortion by threat to unguarded public icons. A letter of demand is on the Premiers desk saying. Damage or harm to things of public value unless payment made to.... This despicable act was a warning or proof of ability. Stand over tactics for money is well know in Eastern block country's. This is depraved and not of this country so I say an import. They get off the plane and go to the City's gallery's gardens zoos the next attack if we dont pay will be an unsecured site of public interest. I do hope I am wrong but.

5th September 2010, 12:09 PM	#9
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised The arborists have had a couple of weeks -- Is the tree going to survive? Are they going to use bridge grafting? The wait and see approach? Or still trying to make a decision?

20th August 2010, 09:24 PM	#2
Davo The Terrible Former Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gold Coast QLD Posts: 121	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised That's terrible - any thoughts on a remedy? Reckon a few hundred bridge grafts would work?

5th September 2010, 03:38 PM	#10
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 651	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised I've tried to do some digging online, but the RBG are keeping mum about it. Not even an official press statement about the incident. __________________

6th September 2010, 07:48 PM	#11
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Yea they used bridge grafting.

7th September 2010, 04:48 AM	#12
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Then likely the tree has a better than 50:50 survival chance.

9th September 2010, 12:36 AM	#13
Gavo Sappling Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts: 5	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised I am disgusted. how sad that some low-life would try and inflict mortal wounds to a tree such as that. I've seen some bad things done to trees, but this is one of the worst. I hope it survives.

4th October 2010, 05:54 PM	#15
Gavo Sappling Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts: 5	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Anyone have any news on how the tree is doing now?

30th July 2011, 09:53 PM	#17
derwoodii Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 407	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Almost a year on and heres some pictures. I can't say a great deal of recovery seen I'm sure they got it in best hands but I was expecting to see some cambium regrowth or its bubbling development or a bark graft attempt but saw no evidence of that. The trees heath & vigour seems Ok not great but as not observed over the last year its hard to tell. Attached Thumbnails

30th July 2011, 10:44 PM	#18
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Thanks for that. Are we taking bets on D Day (death day)? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

30th July 2011, 11:17 PM	#20
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: the Separation Tree\| Royal Botanic Garden\| Vandalised Ahhh, nothing stem injections of sugar water cannot overcome. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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