Late last week I was given news that our much loved Morton Bay Fig tree at Goodwood Oval had lost two limbs.

Goodwood Oval Morton Bay Fig Tree

Safety Exclusion Zone

I was also advised at the time that a preliminary assessment of the tree by Council’s arborist indicated that it remains in good health in spite of the limb failure. This tempered my initial concern when hearing what had happened.

As a safety measure Council did rope of the area as a safety exclusion zone to discourage people from accessing the area of the failure.

This tree is a much loved tree by those that live around or use Goodwood Oval. My family have enjoyed a number of picnics under its foliage. Concerned for the Fig and after a conversation with another passionate resident I called by yesterday to check it and this prompted me to ask for confirmation that the tree is in fact in good condition.

 

Decay in Goodwood Oval Morton Bay Fig

Our arborist today attended the site at Goodwood Oval again to assess the tree for the second time. Whilst his current findings are the same as initial observations on Friday, that the tree does not pose an immediate risk he is seeking to explore further to ensure his assessment is accurate.

 

He has organised a further specialist assessment of the tree’s structural integrity using decay detection equipment. This is a specialist exercise that will need to be carried out by a third party in the new year.

 

We will as a safety measure be extending the exclusion zone around the tree until such time as we have undertaken.