Several one hundred year old trees poisoned on Magnetic Island

Townsville City Council is investigating the mysterious poisoning of multiple trees on Magnetic Island, with residents hoping the “idiot” will be soon be caught.

A MAD tree killer is on the loose on Magnetic Island.

Townsville City Council has confirmed it is investigating the vandalism of trees, understood to be up to 100 years old in Arcadia and Nelly Bay, while residents say trees have also been attacked in Picnic Bay.

In the latest attacks, three Moreton Bay ash trees outside the Arcadia Village Hotel were either ring barked or drilled and poison applied.

A tree at Arcadia, Magnetic Island, which has been ringbarked.

At Nelly Bay, the council says a Paperbark has been cut down.

Magnetic Island resident Paul Wightman, who previously operated a tree removal business, said some “idiot” had been poisoning trees on the island for months.

Another attack on a fig tree in Picnic Bay has occurred about 18 months ago but in that instance the council had managed to save the tree, he said.

“We have a serial poisoner running around the place,” Mr Wightman said.

“One would hope there’s (CCTV) footage at the newsagency or pub (in Arcadia).”

He estimated some of the trees which had been attacked were between 80 and 100 years old and were of high value to the community.

“They have gone through countless cyclones only to be taken out in one hit by this bloody idiot. We will never see them back at that height in our lifetime,” Mr Wightman said.

People hearing about the destruction are outraged, describing the culprit or culprits as “low lifes” and the actions as “unbelievable”.

A Townsville City Council spokesman confirmed that some trees had been poisoned.

“Council’s senior arborist inspected these trees (on Wednesday) and found evidence that a Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) located in Arcadia and a Melaleuca species (Paperbark) in Nelly Bay have been vandalised,” the spokesman said.

“Holes have been drilled into the Moreton Bay ash and a poison injected. Attempts have also been made to ring bark the tree. The Paperbark has been cut down to a 2m stump.

“Such vandalism so close to the road and Alma Bay is brazen and a clear attack on the Magnetic Island habitat.

“Council will investigate the vandalism and urges anyone with information to call 134810. “With trees of significance like these, council’s priority is recovery and enforcement.

“However, in some instances, the tree may have deteriorated to a point where it cannot be saved, has become unsafe and may need to be removed.”

Originally published as Several one hundred year old trees poisoned on Magnetic Island