For over 200 years, a red river gum tree has stood in the same spot as one Aussie city changed around it. As buildings rose and a road was even built through it, the only constant other than the tree itself was the community’s love for it — with a previous landowner writing into their will that it must not be cut down.
However, the large native tree on Overbury Drive in Clarence Park, Adelaide, is now in grave danger, with residents sounding the alarm on its “deteriorating health” to the council. The City of Unley told Yahoo News it will “use whatever method available” to preserve one of the most famous trees in the state.
“This tree is one of the oldest in our city, and has historical and environmental significance and is much loved by the local community,” a council spokesperson said. “Council will put measures in place to mitigate the tree’s decline and use whatever method available to restore it to better health and extend its life.”
Native tree has long been protected by residents
Many factors are contributing to the tree’s declining health, with the council explaining “the vegetation along its upper branches [is] becoming sparser”.
The tree’s growing conditions have been significantly restricted since the land — once owned by the Overbury family, where the street’s namesake comes from — was subdivided for housing and urbanisation took over.
Thanks to a previous land owner, Gertrude Overbury, who wrote into her will in the 1940s that the tree must not be cut down, the tree remains today. However, the rapid increase in infrastructure is finally taking its toll on the “majestic” tree.
“Council arborists are investigating the cause, which may be attributed to things such as disease, water supply and natural ageing processes,” the council spokesperson said.
Arborist and local resident Michael Palamountain said he was “gobsmacked by the size” of the tree when he first laid eyes on it and explained many people in the area often gather in public spaces close to where it stands to “admire” its beauty.
“The community who live around the tree value it very highly,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
What is the council doing to save the river red gum tree?
After a dry and warm winter, authorities intend to “increase the amount of water” as a starting point and will build any “construction methods” required to give the tree a fighting chance.
“Council’s arborists will continue to monitor the tree’s condition to maintain it in the best possible condition to ensure its survival,” the spokesperson said.
Aussie councils grapple to improve canopy cover
It comes as councils across the country are looking to improve canopy cover in Aussie suburbs — with every single established tree important for offering a safe haven for wildlife as well as much-needed shade. One council is considering the possibility of offering financial incentives to protect trees on their property.
Concerned about a phenomenon known as Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE), which raises the temperature of a suburb due to insufficient tree coverage and causes heat-related illnesses, City of Canning council implemented a “significant tree register” in 2021.
Elsewhere, the Glen Eira City Council announced it was working to change local laws so residents cannot prune or chop down canopy trees without explicit approval. If they do so without permission, they could reportedly cop a $2,000 fine.
In May, a bitter debate erupted over a gum tree after 11 residents in Perth’s Alexander Heights requested the local council have the 15-metre tree removed from their street.
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