Local
07/19/10
DEATH OF A GIANT
100 year old fig tree poisoned, says local Councillor
A landmark Moreton Bay fig tree, estimated to be well over 100 years old, has died from poisoning on private property at 108 Vulture St, West End.
Local residents were taken by surprise by the rapid decline of the giant, and shocked by its sudden death.
“It was looking so healthy at the beginning of the year, after all the rains,” said one local worker.
Workmen have removed the corpse of the tree.
Local Councillor Helen Abrahams, like many Westenders, was shocked and angry to see the sudden death of the magnificent Fig Tree (Ficus Benjamina) in the private property on the corner of Browning Street and Vulture Street.
“This tree was protected by Council’s Natural Asset Local Law,” said Cr Abrahams, “so there was a high level of concern when the tree died so suddenly. The laboratory testing showed the tree was poisoned.”
“I call on Council to investigate the poisoning with the view of charging the person responsible. Replacement of this tree with another large fig tree should be undertaken immediately,” said Cr Abrahams.
“Truly, this wonderful tree was one of the natural features of the West End peninsula. “
According to Adrian Buzolic of the West End Community Association, "It was great to see that magnificent old building at 108 Vulture St lovingly restored from when it was a falling down wreck. “
“It is just such a pity the magnificent old fig tree next to it hasn't been treated so lovingly,” he said.
“That tree would have seen our community of Kurilpa develop for most of white history in the area. And during that time it would have been cleaning our air, protecting our skin from the sun and providing a home for countless wildlife. “
“We can only surmise that this was a deliberate act and we are shaking our heads at how stupid some humans can be to not realise the importance of maintaining and nurturing our connections with our environment and our history. This area is sorely lacking in public green space and there are no plans for creating more of it despite plans to quintuple the population.”
“The city council needs all the help they can get in this respect so WECA has instigated a Tree Watch with a database listing trees that are no more and need to be replaced and trees that are in danger. R.I.P. fig tree."
WEST END TREE AUDIT
Cr Abrahams has organised a tree survey along Riverside Drive, West End – between Orleigh Park and Davies Park – so concerned local residents can document and catalogue existing heritage trees before they, too, fall prey to development.
Date Saturday 24 July 2010
Time 3:00pm
Place Meet at the gas tower in Davies Park so half the group can go down stream and the other upstream.
Bring note books and digital cameras (if you have one) as it would be good to photograph the trees. Helen would love some advice from anyone with tree documentation skills either before the day or at the beginning of the 'audit'.
More info: The Gabba Ward Office 3403 2165
Local residents were taken by surprise by the rapid decline of the giant, and shocked by its sudden death.
“It was looking so healthy at the beginning of the year, after all the rains,” said one local worker.
Workmen have removed the corpse of the tree.
Local Councillor Helen Abrahams, like many Westenders, was shocked and angry to see the sudden death of the magnificent Fig Tree (Ficus Benjamina) in the private property on the corner of Browning Street and Vulture Street.
“This tree was protected by Council’s Natural Asset Local Law,” said Cr Abrahams, “so there was a high level of concern when the tree died so suddenly. The laboratory testing showed the tree was poisoned.”
“I call on Council to investigate the poisoning with the view of charging the person responsible. Replacement of this tree with another large fig tree should be undertaken immediately,” said Cr Abrahams.
“Truly, this wonderful tree was one of the natural features of the West End peninsula. “
According to Adrian Buzolic of the West End Community Association, "It was great to see that magnificent old building at 108 Vulture St lovingly restored from when it was a falling down wreck. “
“It is just such a pity the magnificent old fig tree next to it hasn't been treated so lovingly,” he said.
“That tree would have seen our community of Kurilpa develop for most of white history in the area. And during that time it would have been cleaning our air, protecting our skin from the sun and providing a home for countless wildlife. “
“We can only surmise that this was a deliberate act and we are shaking our heads at how stupid some humans can be to not realise the importance of maintaining and nurturing our connections with our environment and our history. This area is sorely lacking in public green space and there are no plans for creating more of it despite plans to quintuple the population.”
“The city council needs all the help they can get in this respect so WECA has instigated a Tree Watch with a database listing trees that are no more and need to be replaced and trees that are in danger. R.I.P. fig tree."
WEST END TREE AUDIT
Cr Abrahams has organised a tree survey along Riverside Drive, West End – between Orleigh Park and Davies Park – so concerned local residents can document and catalogue existing heritage trees before they, too, fall prey to development.
Date Saturday 24 July 2010
Time 3:00pm
Place Meet at the gas tower in Davies Park so half the group can go down stream and the other upstream.
Bring note books and digital cameras (if you have one) as it would be good to photograph the trees. Helen would love some advice from anyone with tree documentation skills either before the day or at the beginning of the 'audit'.
More info: The Gabba Ward Office 3403 2165
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