25/04/2023
Good Evening,
Yarra Ranges Council (YRC), have recently provided an update on their intention to commence 'critical works' on the The Warburton Tree which are scheduled to be completed this coming Thursday.
Again YRC is working in reverse. This has been a distinct theme throughout this whole process.
From the initial knee jerk reaction with regards to removing the whole tree, to then commissioning a report to 'retain' the trunk as a 10 meter habitat tree', that as per a partially deleted YRC statement update, expressed that this action could cause the demise of the 'stump' (which they described as a tree).
Following this, after other expert Arborist opinions weighed in, there has now been varying options put forward.
This has included a 14.5 meter retention, to a 16 meter retention and now we are of the understanding that 50% of the tree may be retained.
The current height of the tree is recorded as approximately 34.5 meters.
These options are being proposed, from 'visual' inspections by council Arborists (most recently completed at the end of last week), as well as reports that have been commissioned with regards to removal in mind.
The results of the Resistograph are due, approximately 6 days after the scheduled 'critical works' are to be performed, results that YRC do not want to wait for.
The justification that YRC has provided in relation to the immediate necessity of 'critical works' is based on their risk assessment of, 'IF' the tree fell and what targets it would impact, as opposed to what the actual risk is of the tree failing.
If this is what they truly base their risk assessments on, then every single tree along paths, roads, in parks and anything else that's not in the heart of the bush, would have 'critical works' in progress.
As per their most recent Arborist report, it has most definitely not been classed as an imminent risk. Not one of the reports have stated that the tree is dangerous and you can bet your bottom dollar if it was, any Arborist report would state that.
So where does this leave us?
Now that retention of the tree is on the table, then the relevant report HAS to happen before anything else. YRC are contemplating tree retention on visual inspections, this is inadequate and has no sound basis.
The amount of 'critical works' that YRC is proposing has a direct relation to how much of the tree can be retained overall.
Trees are dynamic, they adapt to their own specific conditions that then adjust to wind and other stresses, they are a living and breathing being. It's not as simple as a council Arborist 'eyeing' the tree to work out what needs to come off and then being able make an assessment on that, whilst factoring in cabling options that have not been coveted from experts in that field.
YRC are planning to reduce an inordinate amount of tree in their planned 'initial' works. This is akin to a hairdresser working from a predetermined eye (you know the one's), making cuts to even up each side until a balance is reached which will most likely result in a very short hair cut, reducing the choice of a more fuller hairstyle!
The results of the Resitograph will tell us more about how much strength we have in the trunk, a tree retention report will identify what needs to be done to SAFELY retain the tree in it's fullest form using modern retention techniques that include various cabling options. This needs to be completed before the tree is altered in ANY way.
To not do this is nonsensical!
The question has to be asked, what is going on, is it about saving 'face'?
I imagine there is a bit of pressure from the 'cut it down, the tree is dangerous, it's rotten, they should all get a job, and the 'I want firewood' types.
I guess it may currently suit them to pander to this rhetoric, YRC has the power to tell the truth about the condition of this tree and to act in the best interests of it.
This tree is the oldest and largest in the Warburton 'township'.
The Warburton Tree is irreplaceable.
YRC is NOT rising above the rhetoric they have created, and they must do better.
Is this really the standard that we should accept? I think not!
