Lane Cove Council has reported a concerning act of tree vandalism at Stringybark Reserve. A hybrid blue gum, estimated to be over 60 years old, was deliberately damaged. This incident is the latest in a series of illegal actions targeting native vegetation across Sydney’s North Shore.
The Impact on Stringybark Reserve
The damage to the hybrid blue gum is so severe that it now poses a safety risk to park visitors and nearby properties. Lane Cove Council has announced plans to remove the tree’s crown while retaining the trunk as a habitat for local wildlife to mitigate this hazard. The area will be monitored to ensure its ecological role continues.
Lane Cove Council workers will be on-site in the coming days to carry out these urgent safety measures. Access to parts of the reserve will be restricted during this time, and neighboring residents have already been notified of the temporary changes.
How Are Trees Protected in Lane Cove?
Lane Cove Council enforces strict regulations under its Tree Preservation Order, which prohibits the removal or damage of trees without prior approval. Violations are treated as breaches of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and can result in fines up to $1.1 million. Lane Cove Council’s Rangers will closely monitor Stringybark Reserve to prevent further incidents.
Lane Cove Council Asking for Help in Tracking Down the Tree Vandal
Lane Cove Council is urging residents to help identify those responsible for this act of vandalism. All information provided will remain confidential. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact Lane Cove Council directly at 9911 3555 or click here to report vandalism.
The Broader Issue of Tree Vandalism
Tree vandalism has become an escalating issue in Lane Cove and surrounding areas. Recent high-profile cases include the illegal destruction of 285 trees at Woodford Bay in Longueville and the poisoning of trees at Tambourine Bay Reserve.
Lane Cove has also seen some tree destruction, with trees killed in Austin Street Lane Cove (read more here) and around Tambourine Bay Reserve.
In December 2022 a Lane Cove Council notice of motion by Councillors Bryla and Kennedy noted:
“Since 2019 there has been an escalation in the number and severity of bushland trees being killed by those other than our official arborist-approved council means. The impact is leaving large gaps in our natural bushland in certain locations.
One such location is the bushland at Tambourine Bay Reserve. The trees killed by unknown persons since 2019 are: 30 – 40 Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum), 7 Angophora costata (Sydney Red Gum), 2 Ceratopetalum gummiferum (Christmas Bush), 2 Ficus sp. (Fig Tree).
In the past, there have also been poisonings in Manns Point, Woodford Bay Reserve, Holloway Reserve and Shell Park. These actions of tree-killing are not only destructive and illegal but also rob our next generations of the benefits of the natural bushland. Our council team are working hard and tirelessly to try to stop this form of vandalism but are fighting a tough battle. This motion recognises the council teams’ passionate and dedicated efforts to protect and save the bushland trees.”
These actions destroy valuable vegetation, disrupt ecosystems, and diminish biodiversity.
Native trees like this play a critical role in improving air quality, regulating temperatures, preventing soil erosion, and providing habitats for wildlife. Large, mature trees like the hybrid blue gum often support dozens of species, from birds and insects to mammals and fungi. Their loss has far-reaching consequences for local ecosystems.
Greg Moore Senior Research Associate of Burnley College, University of Melbourne wrote an article published in The Conversation which noted:
“But to replace the carbon stored in one large, mature tree would require a vast number of seedlings, many of which fail to survive the first few years.
And it can take many years before planted trees reach carbon neutrality. The production, planting and maintenance processes all use resources, energy and fossil fuels, which means it can take decades before a tree is carbon positive.”
Standing Against Tree Vandalism
Lane Cove Council continues to take strong stances against tree vandalism. In past cases, creative measures such as installing banners obstructing illegally obtained views have been implemented as both punishment and deterrence. The Council remains committed to pursuing legal action against offenders and ensuring the preservation of its natural assets.
Safeguarding Lane Cove’s unique bushland is a shared responsibility. By reporting suspicious activity and adhering to tree preservation guidelines, the community can help protect these vital resources for future generations.
Lane Cove Council reported this vandalism in the same week that the signs were installed at The Canopy, reminding people that the Lane Cove Council will not tolerate vandalism.
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