Want to be a dead tree detective?

There’s a Citizen Science project happening to collect observations of dead or dying

trees… and there seems to be quite a few about our community.

It's easy! If you notice dead or dying trees, upload a photograph with date and location. All you need is a smartphone camera with GPS. 

There are resources on the website to determine possible cause of death.

This survey project is seeking to understand the distribution of areas of un-natural tree deaths and their causes, as well as the species most prone to different causal factors.

Keep a lookout for your trees!

A neighbour’s experience

In late September someone was out and about poisoning large trees in the Coal Point

area. Directly opposite the Progress Hall at No. 292-294 Skye Pt Road two large, 150 year old gum trees were deliberately poisoned via having large holes drilled in the base and Glyphosate poured in. Grass around the base of both trees was also killed. Council was informed but did not respond. The trees have already lost their canopies and look lost, what is not understood is how an ‘Arborist’ had attended unannounced and decided that at least one should be removed, without speaking to the owners.

As the owners we are determined to ensure the perpetrator/s cannot gain or profit from their bad deeds and the tree is not felled, it will be utilised as a Registered Hollow with the Sydney Botanical Gardens (as have a few other Hollows nearby) for study. The trees may have to be trimmed of some outer limbs for safety’s sake but the main trunk and ‘stumpy’ hollowed limbs should last a very long time. There is a sign on the tree, denoting that it is classed as ‘Significant’.

The owners tried a remedy from the Marrickville Community Tree Watch website for saving poisoned Gum Trees, watering in quantities of sugar around the drip line and trunk in an effort to save the only green limb on the lower part of the tree. Hopefully the rain assisted too, fingers crossed.

The incident has been reported to the Police and it is being recorded as Malicious Damage. If you saw anyone in the vicinity of the tree please report it to the police. 

What does it mean for us all…

Our leafy suburb provides a refuge not only for local wildlife but also as a beautiful place

to live; mental health benefits from being around greenery are well documented.

Trees also provide additional value as air conditioners, providing shade but they also protect surfaces such as paintwork, asphalt roads and footpaths from deterioration.

Trees are personal and community assets; by maintaining and protecting old trees we are increasing their value and that of the community. Trees add thousands of dollars to property value and you only have to look at the expensive suburbs of Sydney and they have one thing in common…big trees.

The value of trees also lies in their capacity to store carbon and with the recent IPCC report reiterating that global temperatures have been rising rapidly posing grave risks for humanity, every tree is part of the insurance policy protecting our planet.

Climate change is very real and very present. The CPPA President recently attended the Society of Ecological Restoration conference to present the findings from the Threatened Species project and it was very clear and reiterated throughout the event that climate change is here and not something in the future.


Tein McDonald - “Reversing climate change is mission critical but so is protecting and restoring biodiversity”

Bruce Pascoe “Don’t despair otherwise you are condemning the next generation, we must have hope, keep working and encourage the rest of the world"

By striving to maintain the integrity of our bushland suburb we are doing our bit, one tree at a time.

July Events

Winter Bird Survey

The Winter Bird Survey is planned for Monday 10th July 7am-11am. Wandering through the local reserves with Tom Clarke’s avian expertise available adds another level of appreciation to our local bushland. Every visit turns up a birding treat. If you’d like to come along meet at the Scout Hall by 7am, wear suitable clothing for walking and the weather, BYO water, snack, binoculars and camera.

Native Trees are Tremendous

The Lake Macquarie Landcare Volunteers Network will be hosting a Super Saturday Session on Native Trees at Progress Hall on Saturday 15th July 9:30am-12:30, including lunch. A variety of speakers will share information on Native Trees endemic to our area, how to protect and enhance Native Trees, backyard Native Trees and the effects of fire on Native Trees. Bookings can be made with the Landcare Resource Centre 4921 0392.

Toronto's Trees

Where do you stand on the trees of Toronto town?

The Lakes Mail has been raising awareness over the past few weeks on the possible fate of the Toronto figs. The issue has been described as one that will divide the community, but how will it be divided, it's a little bit more than Treehuggers v's treeloppers.

It could be divided by personal comfort factors?

• People who enjoy sitting in the shade or those that like sweltering whilst they dine in the sun.
• People who like walking along a shady and cooler boulevard or those that like to tan and feel the heat radiating off the footpath.
• People who like to window shop with the sun on their back, or those that like to linger longer in the shade.

It could be divided by cost?

• Business owners whose air conditioners don?t have to work as hard because of the extensive shade coverage or those business owners who like to hear the hum or the air-con cranking, and pay accordingly.
• Businesses who are prepared to pay thousands of dollars to remove the trees or those that will pay to treat the pipes to prevent root growth and blockages and keep the trees.

Or maybe it will divide along the lines of those with a more natural bent?

• Those who think a tree lined boulevard is aesthetically appealing and makes Toronto unique or those that don?t.
• People who appreciate the birdlife and the rarity of the roosting trees or those that see the birds as noise and mess.

On this point there are some places like Currumbin Bird Sanctuary in Queensland and more closer to home the Wetlands Centre that make money off encouraging bird and people interaction, such as breakfast with the birds. Perhaps the Toronto Chamber could investigate getting some funding to promote this rare attraction?

And has anyone considered where will the birds roost if all the trees go? The lorikeets that need these trees are the ones that frequent our gardens and make our backyards buzz with life and are a part of our bushland suburb.

This is a very similar situation to what?s happening with the Laman Street Figs in Newcastle, a quick fix solution is being touted by a few without a full investigation of a variety of options and the impacts on the many who have not been given a chance to voice their opinion.

Make your views known to the Toronto Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 382 ,Toronto 2283,  Phone 4950 5216, Email co-ordinator@torontochamber.com.au   and Lake Macquarie City Council Postal Address: Box 1906 Hunter Region Mail Centre 2310 or council@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

This issue will also be discussed at the monthly meeting of the Progress Association on Monday 7th December 7pm.

Laman Street Figs

Whether you live in Newcastle or not, most people in the region have visited the Regional Art Gallery, visited Civic Park and been impressed by the colonnade of figs majestically lining Laman Street and framing the backdrop of the cultural precinct, making a cultural statement that trees do have pride of place in this city and in this region.

In two weeks Newcastle City Council is going to vote on a motion to fell the Hills figs on Laman Street. Please make a stand so these figs can stay.

Actions you can take include writing to the Newcastle Councillors, writing a letter to the newspapers, or take 20 seconds to complete an online petition at

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/laman-street-figs.html, it can even be anonymous.

The petitions urge and implore council to delay the removal of the trees until a community design panel can be formed by council to consider arboricultural advice, the relevant resources and risk issues and the full range of options available to council and the community to address the future of these trees and make appropriate recommendations to council.