Pittwater residents have called the way the council has killed a tree community members stood vigil around for weeks a year ago authoritarian and lacking transparency.
Residents of the street were informed in a letter dated July 23, two days out from Tree Day 2025, that the tree, a flooded gum, was judged to be at risk of dropping branches.
The tree in the cul-de-sac had been fenced off in an exclusion zone since in early December 2024. One of the tree lopper's ground crew made a pile of all the branches that had fallen in that exclusion zone since December and through several major wind and storm events since then.
This is the pile...:
photo supplied
Months after the Northern Beaches Council announced it had commissioned another independent arborist report on the condition of the two E.Grandis (Flooded gum), the outcome of that report arrived in the same manner that began this saga in May of last year; a last-minute letter to residents.
The council decided, based on this report, to remove T2 (outside of 29 Ruskin Rowe) and retain T1 (in the centre of the cul-de-sac). The removal was slated for this week, although residents weren't informed on which day this would occur.
The letter advised the tree would be replaced by 'an advanced locally indigenous species, Angophora costata' (Sydney Red gum).
The Angophora costata has a wide root system; based on a mature size specimen with a trunk diameter between 40cm to 50cm, a tree would require approximately 28m3 to 34m3.
Canopy Keepers requested a copy of the report before the scheduled removal, and awaited confirmation that this will occur.
''We think this a reasonable request in the interest of transparency.'' the Pittwater founded community organisation stated
''We question the length of time it has taken for council to make public the findings of a report that they’ve had since February.
''We also worry that the proposed management strategy for T1 (e.g. “reducing significant load-bearing branches over the road"- which we are concerned will be live limbs) will, contrary to its intended purpose of safety, instead produce a higher risk of branch failure by impacting the overall condition of the tree, creating asymmetry in the canopy – thus potentially destabilising it, and reducing its naturally developed mechanical ability to withstand weather events.''
''One fact that has never been in question is that both trees are in an incredibly quiet location with no static targets within +50m. The chances of a branch falling on a moving target is extremely low, and outside of major wind events even lower. Removing one tree and potentially harming the other still seems excessive in light of this.''
''Canopy Keepers is following up with Council on a number of issues to do with questioning any live trimming and the planned replanting of an appropriate size and species.'' the group said on July 28
Exactly 7 days later, July 30, the trucks rolled into Ruskin Rowe again to cut down T2 and prune T1.
The street was closed in its entirety, and police tried to move Canopy Keepers members, who were peacefully observing, and other residents on.
photo supplied
Canopy Keepers said:
''We've watched a sapling in the work zone, over 5 metres tall and not scheduled in the scope of works, being cut down. So someone needs to be here to hold them to account.
The contractor's vehicles are unmarked, the crew aren't wearing branded shirts and the company's name has been gaffer taped over on a service vehicle. It all feels covert and wrong.''
''Questions still remain unanswered regarding the heritage status of these trees. Ruskin Rowe is a heritage conservation area.
''We have been advised that the overlay includes street trees, which would mean that the council needed to make an application to remove them. We've asked to see this approval but have been met with silence.''
Another resident stated:
" We first asked the question in March of this year and several times since. Why is it so hard to get answers? Reading Pittwater LEP2014 relating to Heritage Conservation Areas, the objective is 'to conserve the environmental heritage of Pittwater' - well that’s definitely not what’s happening here, now as the chainsaws howl."
Another observed a pair of Kookaburras looked on the entire time, unsettled, darting in and out of the trees and down onto the felled limbs. Kookaburras are territorial. These trees are. or were, their home.
The main trunk was taken away, as the other two trees already killed had been, in one section - video recording showing it looked as sound as a bell - or living tree.
screenshot from CK video of the Ruskin Rowe gum tree trunk
Logs from the trees already destroyed - photo supplied
branches woodchipped and left on July 30 2025 - photo supplied
Eucalyptus grandis, also known as flooded gum or rose gum, is known as a source of nectar and pollen for bees, and a food source for koalas - which used to traverse this part of Avalon before being made locally extinct due to the removal of their food trees. The wood of Eucalyptus grandis is used for various purposes, including construction and furniture making.
Eucalyptus grandis, found on coastal areas and sub-coastal ranges from Newcastle in New South Wales northwards to west of Daintree in Queensland, can exceed 80 metres in height and live for over 100 years in natural forests.
Pittwater residents are already calling for a Tree Management Policy that is specific to Pittwater - others have renewed their call for the reinstatement of their council, a Pittwater Council that is For, About and By Pittwater.
The displaced wildlife, and gap in the canopy of the local environment through the council's killing of yet another Pittwater giant, comes just two weeks after it adopted its Tree Management Policy.
the remains, July 31, 2025 - photo supplied
- Ruskin Row Blockade Provides Reprieve To Flooded Gums: Residents Fed-Up With Council Destruction Of Pittwater's Trees - 30 Thousand Trees Lost Since Forced Union Of Pittwater With Warringah - June 2024
- Pittwater Greens Councillor calls for review of tree management policy - July 2024
- Update on Ruskin Rowe Trees post August 6, 2024 Council Meeting: Last two still scheduled for destruction - August 2024
- Ruskin Rowe Tree Vigil Update: November 2024
- Tree Management Policy Adopted - July 2025
