THE death of a tree more than 100 years old has prompted a Burrumbuttock property owner to call for changes in the Greater Hume Shire’s policies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dr Maggie Watson, a biologist at Charles Sturt University, wants to see tree preservation orders like those used by Albury Council put in place, after a peppercorn tree was heavily pruned last week ahead of its removal.
Dr Watson said that while the tree was not native, it had historical significance and believed it had been planted on an easement adjacent to her property by some of the area’s earliest European settlers.
“Everything was done correctly, I can’t quibble with that, they followed their rules,” Dr Watson said.
“I just wish the council would have a proper environmental assessment, a proper historical assessment and would notify people.
“I found out five minutes before the chainsaws started — I can’t go over there right now.
“I just want the council to fix the problem, for there to be a tree registry and protection for historical, non-native trees.
“At Kosciuszko National Park homesteads and Chiltern’s Bartley’s Block they have to maintain the non-native plants that are there — they’re part of the local history.
“And given the heritage of this region I think the council needs to change.”
Dr Watson believed the tree was planted to provide shade for the original farm’s pig sty. In recent times Dr Watson’s family has used its shade for their animals, while native fauna had been taking advantage of it.
“We’ve had red flying foxes before and grey headed bats showed up in the tree recently,” Dr Watson said.
“They’ve been feeding in various trees here in Burrumbuttock.
“We’ve seen a boobook owl, a barn owl and a tawny frogmouth in there.”
Director of engineering Greg Blackie said the size and demographic of the region meant the council had come up with ways of notifying the public about the removal of trees.
“We maintain over 2000km of public roads and nine towns and villages, it’s an expansive area with a lot of natural vegetation,” he said.
“We found that marking the tree with a large green cross brought attention a lot better than letters.
“We do protect threatened species like blakelys red gum and river red gums that are on the endangered list.
“But this was not a native tree, and we were advised it was causing damage within a property.
“When a tree is affecting private infrastructure it could cause long term impact and liability to council.”
