Memorial trees planted in honour of fallen son slated for destruction

Residents of a leafy Toowoomba suburb are fighting to save a giant jacaranda planted by a mother in memory of her son after he died on a bombing run over Berlin in World War Two, but the council and Ergon Energy say it must go.

Residents of a leafy Toowoomba suburb are fighting to save a pair of Jacaranda trees, one of which was planted by the mother of a pilot killed in World War Two.

The gargantuan trees are located in Allan Street, North Toowoomba, and have been deemed a risk to public safety are scheduled to be removed.

Moira Brown has lived on the street for most of her life and fond memories of her neighbours Alexander and Jessie Moreton.

It was this couple that planted the Jacarandas on the nature strip in front of the home to honour their son Kenneth Moreton who died on January 29, 1944 on a bombing run over Berlin.

Mr Brown said the trees’ significance had been known to most residents on the street and he hoped Toowoomba Regional Council would rethink its decision to remove them.

Kenneth Moreton World War Two pilot killed in Germany in 1944

“We knew nothing about it until this time last week when an Ergon Energy subcontractor turned up last week and took the tops off them,” he said.

“There has been no communication and we were informed that they were coming down completely.”

Kenneth Moreton was educated at Toowoomba Grammar School and after graduating he became a schoolteacher.

At 19 he enlisted in the Citizen Air Force of the RAAF and would go on to see action in Germany during World War Two.

Pilot Officer Kenneth Moreton was the navigator and crew member of a No. 57 Squadron Royal Air Force Lancaster JB 311 that was lost to enemy action at Berlin in Germany on January 29, 1944.

It was his 21st air operation over Europe.

He died aged just 22.

Moira and Roger Brown, of Allan Street, North Toowoomba, are asking Ergon Energy and the Toowoomba Regional Council to spare two Jacaranda tree that are slated for removal after they were deemed a safety risk.

It is understood the council will replace the trees in the new year with a species that is less of a threat to the overhead power lines and public.

TRC environment and community services portfolio lead Tim McMahon said the requirement for the trees’ removal was identified due to changes in Ergon’s distance requirements for clearances on powerlines.

“As part of the arborist consultations on site, it was found that one of the trees was structurally unsound and for the safety of the public, requires removal and replacement,” he said.

“The second tree was thought likely to become structurally unsound due to the nature of the pruning required for powerline safety, and after pruning, has been found to also be a significant risk to public safety.

“The council’s first preference is always to maintain and protect trees, but community safety is of paramount importance. Once a tree is deemed structurally unsound, Council is obliged to arrange its removal.

The Jacaranda on Allan Street, North Toowoomba, have been deemed a risk to public safety and overhead power lines so they will be removed in the new year.

Jacarandas are known to drop branches regularly and an Ergon Energy spokesman said this was a key factor in the decision.

“The trees in Allan Street were being monitored by Ergon Energy and the TRC for some time for safety reasons, as they were dying back and were very close to powerlines,” he said.

“Trees that grow close to powerlines can pose serious electrical hazards.

“During storms and high winds, nearby trees can contact or bring down power lines, interrupting power supply and putting residents at risk of electric shock.

“As well as causing damage during severe weather, electricity can also pass through trees when branches or foliage touch overhead power lines.

“An energised tree can cause a life-threatening electric shock. Hazardous voltage may also be present around the base of the tree.”