Clontarf, Middle Harbour: Hunt for person who is poisoning 100-year-old trees with a view
Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward to help hunt down the phantom poisoner killing beautiful 100-year-old trees in a Sydney reserve with harbour views.
Manly
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Authorities have offered a $10,000 reward to help catch a phantom poisoner who is killing 100-year-old trees in a beautiful Sydney harbourside reserve.
At least eight mature gums have been attacked with a drill and had what appears to be deadly herbicide poured into their trunks at Weekes Road Reserve, Clontarf.
Angry resident Sarina Tomchin, who discovered the poisonings on Friday in the public park that has views over Castle Rock Beach on Middle Harbour, described the culprit as a “tree murderer”.
Northern Beaches Council’s Tree Investigations Team has now been called in to track down the poisoner trying to kill the native trees, some up to 30m tall.
The council is also offering a $10,000 rewards
The poisoner has also hacked away large sections of two smaller trees in the reserve.
And about 1.7kms away, in Russell St, Clontarf, another large gum in a small pocket of bush that has views over The Spit Bridge, has had its trunk drilled into seven times and had two cuts from a saw.
Ms Tomchin, a well know Australian artist and clothing designer has been voluntarily regenerating the bush in Weekes Road Reserve for about 20 years, but this was the first time she had seen a deliberate attempt to kill large native trees.
“I was with a young council worker, who had just dropped off some mulch for the reserve, when we found the first tree on Friday, near the entrance off Cutler Rd.
“We saw sap just pouring out of a tree. There was a big drill hole and a stick, with poison on it and we were absolutely dismayed.
“Then we found another one that had been poisoned.”
In an effort to save the trees, Ms Tomchin was advised to flush the drill holes out with freshwater and scrub the holes and the trunk near the drill site with a small brush.
She even poured sugar infused water around the base of the trees to give then an “energy boost” so they could fight off the effects of the poison.
Ms Tomchin said she had a search through the reserve, with a neighbour, over the weekend and “found a whole lot more” that had been attacked.
“Then on Sunday, I checked again, and one of the trees had been poisoned again.
“It was really upsetting.
“We were horrified that someone would want to kill the these old and gorgeous trees.”
Another resident Richard Polglase, said he was sickened and angered by the poisonings.
“I can’t believe someone would walk into the reserve, with a drill and poison and do this.
“It's blatant.”
Residents have put up posters alerting the community to the poisoner.
Ms Tomchin and Mr Polglase declined to be photographed due to personal concerns.
Manly Ward councillor Sarah Grattan, who contacted the council’s Tree Investigations Team, on behalf of the residents, said she was “absolutely shocked” by the vandalism.
“I find it disgraceful and selfish behaviour. I really hope we can save those trees.”
If it is established that a tree has been vandalised, the council will erect a large sign at the location to make it clear that vandalism is occurring and who to contact if information is known about the incident.
Council CEO Ray Brownlee said the poisoning of any trees was taken “very seriously”.
“Council will pay a reward of up to $10,000 for information which leads to a successful prosecution of any person/s who wilfully damage tree/s or vegetation,” Mr Brownlee said in a statement.
Anyone with information on illegal poisoning tree removal is urged to call the council’s service hotline on 1300 434 434.
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