‘Natural wonder’ gone: Tasmanian forestry photo slammed as ‘utter environmental travesty’

Conservationists have been floored by images of a giant and likely centuries-old tree dragged out of one of Australia’s oldest native forests.

Footage from the forests of Tasmania this week showing a giant felled native tree on the back of a truck has been labelled “shameful” and an “utter environmental travesty”.

The recent footage taken at Maydena in Tasmania’s Florentine Valley shows what is believed to be a section of a Eucalyptus regnans, Australia’s tallest tree variety, being hauled away by truck from the area known for its old-growth forest.

Its immense girth almost made up the truck’s whole load by itself.

Former Greens leader and high-profile conservationist Bob Brown called out Monday’s haul, labelling it “globally shameful”.

Footage and photos from Florentine Valley in Tasmania this week show a giant felled native Eucalyptus on the back of a truck. Picture: Supplied

“Just days ago, this wonder of nature, centuries old but still unimaginable, strong and youthful, was alive and a natural wonder,” he said.

“Today, the tree’s death is a national disgrace: it was publicly subsidised and entirely unnecessary.”

Sustainable Timber Tasmania (formerly Forestry Tasmania) is a Tasmanian Government Business Enterprise, meaning it functions similarly to a private business but is owned by the Tasmanian government.

Suzette Weeding, general manager for conservation and land management at Sustainable Timber Tasmania, confirmed to news.com.au that the tree in question had been felled for “safety reasons”.

“On occasion, it may be necessary for Sustainable Timber Tasmania to remove a large tree where it presents an access or safety risk. In these instances, all decisions are documented as per internal procedures and where possible, timber product is recovered,” she said.

“Regarding the reported single log observed on a truck travelling from the Derwent Valley, Sustainable Timber Tasmania can confirm that the tree was assessed recently and felled as part of harvesting operations at FO020B for safety reasons.

“Timber product from this tree was recovered.”

Ms Weeding said the 27-hectare harvesting operation is conducted under a certified Forest Practices Plan.

“Tree measurements were documented to identify appropriate management prescriptions during harvesting operations,” she explained.

“No Giant trees were verified within the harvest boundary. Giant trees are defined as trees that are at least 85 metres tall or at least 280 cubic metres estimated stem volume.

“Sustainable Timber Tasmania is confident that current operations are in accordance with the certified Forest Practices Plan.”

Conservationist Bob Brown called on the federal government to end native logging. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Dr Brown claimed the remains of the great tree would likely remain on the forest floor, to be burned with disastrous ecological effects.

“And with it has gone the birds, mammals and other wildlife which for centuries have lived in and around that tree. Its destruction is despicable official vandalism,” he added.

Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from Deakin University, Professor Euan Ritchie, reacted to the footage of the tree being transported online, saying it was an “utter environmental travesty”.

“Imagine if this tree was instead a whale. What might people say then?” he said.

Dr Brown called on the Albanese Government, ahead of its 49th National Conference on Thursday, to end native logging.

“This week’s national Labor conference should put an end to such deeply unpopular forest destruction, just as Malcolm Fraser ended whaling in 1978,” he said.

The footage was taken at Maydena, 80 kilometres west of Hobart by road. Picture: Supplied

Bob Brown and 15 other conservationists are attending the coupe in the Florentine Valley today in protest.

Victoria recently announced an end to native forest logging by the end of 2023, fast-tracking a previous commitment by six years.

Western Australia is also ending the practice from January 2024.

The future of native forestry in the three remaining leading logging states, New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland, remains unclear.

According to government figures, the forestry sector brings over $1.2 billion annually into Tasmania’s economy and employs around 5700 directly and indirectly.

Dr Brown and 15 other conservationists attended the coupe in protest today where they issued a plea to Anthony Albanese.

“You should come and see this,” Dr Brown said.