‘Concerning’ gum tree has Evanston Park woman fearing for her life – but council won’t remove it

A huge gum tree overhanging two homes has neighbours living in fear because their local council refuses to remove it - now its explained why.

An Evanston Park woman and her neighbour are pleading with their local council to remove a gigantic gum tree amid a spate of distressing incidents across the state in the past month.

Despite the gum tree overhanging across two properties, filling gutters, and dropping the occasional branch, Gawler Council isn’t obliging – saying it’s “not an issue”.

Veronica Presley, who has a 19-month-old son, says it’s got to the point where her and her partner have talked about selling the house.

“I hate this gum tree. If that tree comes down it will take out the back end of our house which is where our little boy’s room is,” she said.

“Our little boy loves to hang outside but we are so scared so we try and keep him inside as much as we can. He knows how to get out through the doggie door so we’ve had to put a lock on it.

Veronica Presley and Matthew Lukat with son Kaleb, and the tree in the background. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“In the last lot of stormy weather, multiple branches came down. We had one land just off from our clothesline … We still have one on our roof.”

Ms Presley confirmed she had submitted an application with Plan SA in November last year to have the tree removed after going “back and forth” with the council.

An arborist was sent out that week and concluded the condition of the tree was not considered to justify removal, saying it had a “useful life expectancy of 10-20 years”.

“The tree forms a notable visual contribution to the character or amenity of the area,” the report states.

“The tree is in good health (and) supports a generally good, stable structure. (There) is no significant history of branch failure observed.”

Mayor Karen Redman said the tree was assessed as having a “low-risk” rating.

“Council engaged an external arborist who examined the tree and provided a report, which advised that the tree was stable, in good health and being assessed as being a low-risk rating,” she said.

“A regular inspection of the tree every 18 to 24 months was recommended to monitor its health.

“In November 2023, the applicant was advised that council could not support removal of the tree based on the expert advice. Council has not proceeded to refusal of the application as we offer applicants three months to respond to our recommendation.”

Ms Presley said the arborist stood in her yard in late November and made a point of how no trees had rarely “ever hurt someone in the state”.

There have been at least five reported incidents in the past month alone – with the death of 22-year-old Alifia Soeryo.

Earlier this week, a 73-year-old man was struck by a falling branch while attending a funeral at Cheltenham Cemetary.

A man mourning the death of a young woman who was killed by a falling tree branch in North Adelaide. Picture: George Yankovich

An elderly man was been rushed to hospital after he was struck by a falling tree branch at the Cheltenham Cemetery. Picture 7NEWS

7NEWS Adelaide reported that the man lost consciousness and was bleeding when he was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital – where he is now in a stable condition.

Ms Presley said she’s never been a “tree hater”, but the birth of her child has made her reconsider things.

“It wasn’t until we had our little boy and he wanted to go outside that we thought ‘oh nah this tree doesn’t actually look good’,” she said.

“I hate the idea of the tree being there. It’s crazy because the photos don’t do it justice.”

Originally published as ‘Concerning’ gum tree has Evanston Park woman fearing for her life – but council won’t remove it