Tree logging leads to dispute between resident, removalist

A disgruntled Redwood resident has come to blows with a removalist business regarding a dispute over trees. Read the full story here.

A resident who has lived in her Redwood home since the 80s, has clashed with a Toowoomba removalist business, after branches of several trees were cut on the street.

Diana Clift, 90, who moved to her East St home in 1988, said T.J. King House Relocators did not obtain approval, before they allegedly trimmed the branches of one of her trees.

The resident claimed two male employees from T.J. King asked her if they could cut the limbs off some of the trees so they could relocate a nearby house, but she declined the request.

But T.J. King said the resident was kept in the loop through the entire process, and said that only branches overhanging the neighbouring property were trimmed.

Diana Clift, standing near a tree she planted in the 80s, is upset by the amount of trees being cut down and cut back in her Redwood neighbourhood. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I told them they could not touch the trees because the branches don’t grow back – I said they could trim the Bougainvillea bush by a little bit, but instead they removed the whole lot,” Ms Clift claimed.

“It’s very upsetting … I’ve got the trees here because I like them, I like my privacy and I would like to see some of the trees protected within reason.”

While it appears only a few branches on each tree have been cut, the resident said they had sentimental value and she planned to put a plaque on one of the trees in memory of a late friend.

“They left tyre marks on my front lawn that lead straight up to one of the trees – it looks like they’ve hit the tree and its been lifted out of the ground,” Ms Clift said.

“When they first approached me, I assumed they would have proper tree-loppers doing the job, but the fellas were from T.J. King and I woke up to them running around with chainsaws in the morning, cutting the branches out the front of my house.”

Diana Clift is upset by the amount of trees being cut down and cut back in her Redwood neighbourhood. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A spokeswoman from T.J. King House Relocators said the business “was in full communication with the resident at all times” and had attempted to rectify her concerns.

She said the business only cut the branches on a tree that was overhanging the fence line of a driveway they were coming out from and no other trees on council-owned land was cut on the night.

The spokeswoman said the move had an authorised road permit in place through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and was escorted by three police officers, three private escorts and three council workers.

“We had prior spoken to her regarding trimming of the trees and bushes to ensure utmost satisfaction,” the spokeswoman said.

“Since this discussion, which was agreed upon to trim one of the trees and a bush by T.J. King House Relocators, the council has also trimmed trees that were growing on the council footpath.

“After the house was relocated we returned and resurfaced the lawn area which had tyre marks with premium potting mix to ensure the re-establishment of the grass,” she said.

“As one bush, that was also on council land, got slightly damaged we were going to trim neatly but the lady in question came and verbally spoke to our worker and he was told not to touch it.”

The spokeswoman said the move was strictly regulated to ensure the safety of the public and to minimise damage to infrastructure.

“However as this is an Oversize Overmass load of 8m width, sometimes this is not always possible, but we take pride in rectifying any mishaps that occur and we work closely with Council in such matters.”

Toowoomba council said its workers were not responsible for the trees being cut on East St.

Diana Clift is upset by the amount of trees being cut down and cut back in her Redwood neighbourhood. Picture: Kevin Farmer