Tallest Tree

30 November 2009 via letter box drop

Dear Residents near the Corroboree Park

Tallest Tree - Manna Gum near tennis courts will be removed tomorrow - before dawn?

The tallest tree in Canberra, a Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum), is scheduled to be removed. You might have received a letter to that effect from the ACT Government dated Friday 27th November. I say ‘might’ because whilst I frequent the park I didn’t receive a letter, possibly because I live 2 blocks away and not directly opposite.

The tree is on the northeast corner of Corroboree Park. It was planted in 1950, is 40 metres tall and has a girth of 3.8 metres.

The reasoning for the whole tree to be removed and evidence for this decision is not clear. A branch fell recently and this seems to have motivated efforts to have a look at it. In doing so they seem to have noticed that other branches are likely to fall soon too, and we have a decision to take the tree out.

I want to let you know, in case you also care about the park and its trees, that there are other options for making this tree safe. For example, if the branches are dangerous they could be removed and the main stem and any healthy branches left. I personally feel that if there is any way to maintain the presence of that tree it should be done –it is cultural heritage as it represents Canberra’s original urban forestry efforts, and it is valuable for its role in the park. Reducing urban trees to stumps is an insult to the people who enjoy them now as well as those who planted them.


There are people in the Ainslie community who have expertise in tree health. We do have the resources to deal with these issues maturely and with a creative approach.

If you’re wondering where my info comes from, the fact that it’s the tallest tree in Canberra is published in Trees and Shrubs in Canberra, by Pryor and Banks (2001-p190). There is more useful information in this book for people who care about trees in Ainslie than there is on the entire website for the Department of Territory and Municipal Services.

The facts leading to the decision to remove this tree, and the sources for these, should be made public. I personally don’t want ‘consultation’ (which would likely be limited to the group who makes noise). I want the government to be transparent and put its thinking, and the info that is based on, on a publicly accessible website. I think the tree should not be removed until this has been done. I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Nicky - Chisholm Street.