‘Battle of the arborists’: Fate of historic tree hinges on report

Accusations of a “cavalier” attitude to the preserving of old growth trees have been levelled at council following action toward the removal of another historic Cairns tree last week.

ACCUSATIONS of a “cavalier” attitude over the preservation of old growth trees have been levelled at Cairns Regional Council following action towards the removal of another historic Cairns tree last week.

Cairns Regional Council undertook “emergency” deadwood pruning of a tree outside the Freshwater Tennis Club on May 13 after a branch dislodged and fell on a car.

Ahead of the Freshwater Festival an exclusion zone was set up around the 60-70-year-old tree before a decision to be made on tree’s removal based on resistograph testing and an arborist report.

Cairns Regional Council has commissioned an arborist report to that will determine the future of an a 70-year-old tree in Freshwater. Picture: Paul Matthews

Lacking confidence that the council will prioritise the preserving the tree, Freshwater resident Paul Matthews – fighting to save the tree from the axe – has commissioned an independent analysis.

“It’s a battle of the arborists at 20 paces,” he said.

“It is a beautiful old tree, we love our trees in Freshwater and I am concerned a about a cavalier attitude from council.”

Based on the certificate five rated arborist findings, Mr Matthews said the tree could be saved by mulching and allowing better root access to water and oxygen.

“(The arborist) said get rid of the crusher dust and stop cars parking under the tree and it will come back,” he said.

“I’m sure once we get a rehab plan a lot of locals will help with that.”

The giant melaleuca tree on Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove being cut down in 2020.

However Mr Matthews was concerned given the high profile removal of an ancient melaleuca tree at Palm Cove in 2020, the felling of a 100-year-old fig tree on Collins Av this year and the possible removal of the T5 fig tree at the Cairns Library.

“I am concerned there seems to be an addenda, (council) are certainly risk averse in regard to public liability,” he said.

Additional tree removals include three large sea poison trees expected to be felled on Monday to make way for lighting upgrades at Anzac Park on Spence St.

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Chief executive Mica Martin said the council strives to protect trees and removal is a last resort.

“All other options are assessed and used in preference to removal wherever reasonable,” she said.

“Council is guided by legislation, Australian standards, and its own responsible tree management policies, guidelines and tools, which places high value on trees.”

Freshwater Festival organiser Kane Brown said he would be disappointed to see the Freshwater tree removed but accepted the loss on safety grounds.

“The branch that fell was big enough to kill a small child,” he said.

Cairns Regional Council will remove three mature trees due to sub terrain earthworks in Anzac Park on Spence Street. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are sad to see it go, but you have to be glass half full and look to the future about what is going to replace it.”

Cairns lifestyle and community director Destry Puia said the outcome of a council tree report will guide a decision about the Freshwater tree and the independent report would also be considered.

An onsite meeting at the tree is planned for next week at which Mr Matthews was hopeful a plan to save the tree could be negotiated.

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Originally published as ‘Battle of the arborists’: Fate of historic tree hinges on report