Heritage listed fig tree falls over in Woongarra Street | Video

A major thoroughfare in Bundaberg’s inner city has been closed after one of the iconic fig trees that line Woongarra Street toppled over.

One of Bundaberg’s grand old fig trees has fallen.

Woongarra Street is well known for its shady grove of native fig trees.

A witness on Woondooma Street said on Thursday the tree had fallen over and that police and council crews were on scene at about 1pm.

A Bundaberg Regional Council spokesperson urged people to avoid the area until it was cleared.

“A fig tree, which was being monitored for ill health, has fallen on Woongarra Street,” they said.

“Staff are working quickly to remove the tree which is currently blocking the street and access to some nearby businesses and properties.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible.”

A grand old fig tree has fallen on Woongarra Street.

A grand old fig tree has fallen on Woongarra Street.

The fallen tree caused the closure of Woongarra Street as crews worked to remove it from the road.

The weeping fig trees are a beloved historic relic of the Bundaberg region, believed to have been planted by the Buss family in 1890.

The trees are also heritage listed and according to the council‘s archives, were likely donated by William Fullerton, who was the manager of the Royal Bank of Bundaberg at the turn of the century.

However, in 2019, Bundaberg Regional Council announced that some of the famous figs were likely nearing the end of their lives.

At the time, the council said at a certain age it was difficult to maintain trees.

The council’s consulting arborist Matthew Duncan said when it came to ageing fig trees in city streetscapes, problems could well and truly start to arise after 100 years.

“When trees get old their vigour and health starts to deteriorate, especially when they're in an urban environment,” Mr Duncan said.

“They are probably coming to the end of their life expectancy and amenity and starting to become less attractive.

“When they get to that age there is only limited work we as arborists can do to maintain health and amenity without major changes to surrounding infrastructure.”

Woongarra Street’s historic weeping figs are an iconic sight.

Some locals have disagreed, believing more care has been needed, while Bundaberg Landcare president Mike Johnson previously told the NewsMail that some of the town‘s weeping figs were able to be maintained, but some were in need of removal.