Native gum tree causes havoc for Albion Park Rail residents

Sept. 20, 2014, 8 a.m.

THERE are many accepted dangers of the harsh Australian environment and the native eucalyptus tree is one.

Albion Park Rail resident Lynette Cave inspects the damage to her house after a branch fell randomly from a gum tree in a neighboring backyard. Picture Eliza Winkler

THERE are many accepted dangers of the harsh Australian environment and the native eucalyptus tree is one.

As a resident of Albion Park Rail had discovered, eucalyptus trees were given the nickname Widow Maker for dropping their large boughs without warning. This process of self-pruning is a natural practicefor the tree to save water or a result of brittle wood.

On an otherwise calm Saturday afternoon recently, resident Lynette Cave came home to discover a branch about 4mlong had fallen into her backyard.

The inside of a fallen gum tree branch in Albion Park Rail backyard. Picture Eliza Winkler

Just moments before it came down the neighbour's four-year-old was playing right underneath the tree, she said.

Its very concerning because you just never know when it will happen.

The tree is located in a neighbouring private property and hangs over the backyards of four residential blocks, two being unit blocks. Ms Cave said she had contacted the council several times expressing her safety concerns for those living underneath the tree.

Go here to see the original:
Native gum tree causes havoc for Albion Park Rail residents