Another towering gum tree dies suddenly in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs – was it poisoned?
One tree is lush and healthy, but just a few metres away a neighbouring eucalypt has rapidly turned brown and lifeless. It’s the fourth suspected tree poisoning in the eastern suburbs this year. What is going on?
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The rapid demise of a large eucalypt has raised alarm that another tree in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs has been intentionally poisoned as an expert warns a changing climate is endangering urban trees.
The significant tree on Marian Road, Payneham appeared healthy in a photo taken three months ago, but today what was a green canopy is now brown.
There are holes in its trunk and building material have also been wedged in the trunk. Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council is investigating whether the tree, and another smaller gum on Fifth Ave, St Peters, have been deliberately killed.
A St Peters resident contacted The Advertiser concerned the tree in their neighbourhood – which also has multiple holes in its trunk – may have been poisoned.
Norwood Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria said he could not understand why people would poison a tree.
“The loss to the community and the streetscape is significant, it takes years to get a tree like that,” he said, in respect of the Payneham gum.
He said it was “even more disappointing” that the tree was on the street, making it difficult to catch the culprit.
In June 2018, the council approved construction of three two-storey houses on a block next to the Payneham river red gum.
A year later the council approved a variation to the plans for construction of an undercroft garage to the easternmost dwelling.
No construction had started on the block when The Advertiser inspected the tree this week.
A nearby resident, who contacted The Advertiser, said an upgrade of the footpath next to the tree last year may have impacted on the tree’s health.
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Kym Knight, an arborist with 40 years’ experience, said it can be quite difficult to prove that a tree has been poisoned.
He said the presence of perfectly round holes in the Payneham tree “tend to suggest” a drill had been used.
“Just because a tree has been poisoned is not the end of the line, often trees can recover with good maintenance practices,” he said
“I’ve seen plenty come back from being poisoned.”
He said more generally that a changing climate was placing trees under more stress, leaving them increasingly susceptible to pests and diseases.
“It’s not necessarily that these diseases haven’t been present but trees are becoming more susceptible,” he said.
“Increasing temperature, increasing dry conditions and when you combine that with urban environment undergoing lots of change, trees are under more pressure.
“We have always had droughts and periods of low rainfall, and it’s always killed off trees, but it seems to me the trend we have here is increasing.”
SA Premier Steven Marshall has promised to plant more trees to combat “hotter and drier” suburbs as part of a renewed focus to combat climate change.
Campbelltown Council is seeking witnesses or information leading to those who poisoned two trees in Tranmere.
Has this happened in your area? Email renato.castello@news.com.au with details
