Two significant, iconic trees have been vandalised and Redland City Council is asking for public vigilance to protect this heritage.
One of the trees is a gum tree in O’Connell Parade, Wellington Point, aged between 60 and 70 years. The tree has been drilled with a chemical substance with a hatchet or something similar taken to the root system.
Mayor Karen Williams said the tree had always been a healthy part of a corridor of koala food trees along the street, through to Beaccrest Street and down to the Wellington Point reserve.
Deputy Mayor, Wendy Boglary said the tree was critical for the linkage through the corrider which created both a food source and refuge from cars and domestic animals for koalas and other native animals.
A poinciana tree at 346 Main Road, Wellington point has also been the target of vandals.
“This beautiful, irreplaceable poinciana is more than 40 years old and one of the more mature trees in the avenue of poinciana along Main Road at Wellington Point. People come from far and wide to see Wellington Point in full bloom,” Cr Boglary said.
“Council officers tell me the repeated hacking at the wound may be an attempt to speed the decay of the tree.”
The poinciana is also significant as it is a symbol on top of the Redland City coat of arms and ties back to the 1800s when first plantings occurred in the Redlands.
Cr Williams said the eyes and ears of Redlanders were needed to catch the vandals.
“I’m appalled at this environmental vandalism and selfish behaviour on some of the City’s most significant and valuable trees,” she said.
Council officers are monitoring and managing the trees in the hope of prolonging their lives for the community benefit.
Anyone with information or can report suspicious behaviour should Council’s Customer Service on 3829 8999 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
