Iconic 800-year-old South West tree destroyed after approval to just trim unsafe limbs

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Iconic 800-year-old South West tree destroyed after approval to just trim unsafe limbs

A limb-trim of a much-loved 800-year-old South West tree was approved by the the State Government amid “public safety” concerns, but with only a stump now remaining, an investigation is under way.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions told the Times it engaged a contractor to remove the fallen branches of an 800-year-old peppermint tree in Wellington National Park because of safety concerns.

The area is to be developed into a day use site, but because the tree was “well-known”, the plan was for it to be retained, a DBCA spokesperson said.

However, earlier this month the tree was reduced to nothing more than a splintered pile of logs.

“Unfortunately, the tree had declined in condition. Large branches had fallen to the ground in recent months, causing a public safety risk by encroaching on an access track,” the DBCA spokesperson said.

“DBCA contracted an arborist to remove the fallen branches and address the risk.

“DBCA met the contractor on site prior to any work commencing to identify the scope of what was required.

“DBCA is working with the contractor to understand the situation in full.”

Nature-based tour guide Peter Murphy said it was “indefensible” for the tree to be removed given its significance to the region.

Mr Murphy said he believed the cited risk to public safety was “nonsense”, having visited the tree regularly himself.

“I’m down there probably once every week or two, and I didn’t find any limbs hanging around,” he said.

That tree was as sturdy as the Eiffel Tower.

Mr Murphy said he was aware of previous communication between environmental groups and the DBCA when developing a plan for the day use site. He said it was “appalling” to leave the community in the dark when the tree was destroyed.

“They (DBCA) should treat the community with more respect,” he said.

“We’ve just lost one of the most magnificent nature-based tourism icons in the South West, and here they are washing their hands of it.”

Mr Murphy said he was devastated to have lost an opportunity to show the world the “most magnificent specimen” of peppermint tree.

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