The Guildford Progress Association has received news that their concerns about the proposed work on The Big Tree have been heeded. The following is an excerpt from a recent letter to the Association from the Shire:
Due to the continued concerns of the Guildford Progress Association regarding the arboricultural works proposed by Council on “The Big Tree”, I wish to inform you that these works have been postponed.
Council has commissioned an independent arboricultural assessment of the tree. The consultant will provide Council with a report and any recommended works. I will ensure that the Guildford Progress Association is kept informed of any intended works on or at the site of “The Big Tree”.
We will keep you informed about any further developments on this issue.
The best thing to do would be to leave it alone, past attempts at canopy reduction have been not best practice for veteran trees and the tree is optimising its self to compensate for the large basal area it has to support, all veteran trees are in the process of dying and a good aeration and mulch [cool compost] would help as well as an exclusion zone around the base. If consultants are engaged they should have extensive experience in veteran tree management.