On-site: The pine tree at the rear of the toy library finally receives some necessary maintenance.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
Three years after it was struck by lightning, Echuca’s Bunya Bunya pine has been given a much-needed spruce-up.
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The pine, located behind the Echuca-Moama Toy Library on Heygarth St, underwent remediation works late last month.
It came following community requests to Campaspe Shire Council and were welcomed by EMTL president Tammie Wakefield.
“We have been concerned the tree may fall on the toy library,” Mrs Wakefield said.
“The prickly leaves do not encourage safe outdoor play in the back.
“We appreciate the tree’s age and heritage, but we requested for it be removed a while back.”
The top half of the iconic tree died following the lightning strike in 2020.
Safe hands: The orange crane and the white cherry picker ensure the work on-site goes smoothly.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
A Campaspe Shire Council spokesperson said an independent tree risk assessment was completed by Homewood Consulting and it was decided the best course of action was to retain the part of the tree that was actively growing.
“Being such an old tree in a heritage-listed area, we wanted to give the tree as much time as possible to see if it could regenerate,” the spokesperson said.
“During the following two years, regrowth slowly emerged in the trunk’s lower half.
“Unfortunately, there has been no sign of any life in the top half.”
The works were completed on September 26 and 27, much to the delight of the Echuca-Moama Toy Library’s volunteers and the many families who support the local service.
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