‘It’s an appalling, selfish, wilful act’: North Sydney Council on the hunt for tree killer

SEVERAL gum trees close to the harbour foreshore have been poisoned, infuriating residents and prompting an investigation.

POSIONED TREES

GUM trees close to the harbour foreshore have been poisoned and angry residents want to find the culprits.

The trees are slowly dying and residents in McMahons Point have prompted North Sydney Council to launch an investigation.

“Clearly they have been drilled and poisoned to kill the trees,” said Robert Emerson, director of the council’s environmental services. “It’s an appalling, selfish, wilful act.”

The five trees are all in the area of John and Dumbarton Streets, just metres away from scenic Berrys Bay. Three of the trees were on nearby private land.

One of the poisoned gum trees.

A pair of lemon-scented gums were poisoned in the garden of Steve House’s rented property on Dumbarton St.

“I think it’s really sad,” said Mr House.

“It’s a close-knit area and everybody is angry.”

The owner of the home now faces paying for the removal of the large trees if the investigation can’t pinpoint the perpetrator.

Steve House says everybody on the close-knit street are angry about the incident. Picture: Braden Fastier

Mr House was woken up one night in December by the sound of drilling and contacted police.

It was assumed that a thief had attempted to drill through one of the property’s locks at the time.

But he now believes it was the tree driller in action.

‘HE NEVER MARCHED ON ANZAC DAY’

IS THIS THE BEST VIEW IN SYDNEY?

He saw him jumping into a car on the night with an enormous drill and ­described him of Middle Eastern in appearance, in his 20s and with a large beard.

Mr House believes the trees are about 70 years old and were home to parakeets, magpies, currawongs and possums.

YOUR SAY: What should the penalty be for poisoning trees?

Mr Emerson said tree ­poisonings are not a regular occurrence in the lower north shore and there are about five incidents a year.

Poison was drilled into the trunks.

A public notice on one of the threes.

It mostly occurs because people are trying to enhance their private view, he said.

“We don’t have any ­evidence to suggest who it might be but sometimes these thing become quite apparent when looking at it.”

Four of the trees are lemon-scented gums and the other is a bloodwood.

The council has attempted to save the trees and an arborist flushed out the holes.

Police have been advised and council are hopeful someone will come forward with information.

The council has the powers to prosecute and a fine of up to $1.1 million can be slapped on the perpetrator.