A group of local arborists are calling for an immediate stop to the removal of a 125-year-old Giant Sequoia at Franklin Primary School, claiming the tree poses no significant safety risk.
Michael Johnston from ARBcare Tasmania said the historic tree is being unnecessarily destroyed despite recent assessments deeming it safe.
“There’s no reason behind it,” he told Pulse.
“All I know is that it has lost one limb and which landed on a roof, and that was in high winds and storm conditions.”
He estimated the tree to be about 30 metres high.
Johnston said multiple arborist companies refused to take on the removal job.
“Because it’s such a historical tree. There’s nothing wrong with it,” he said.
“There’s no point to do what the works that are being done at this point.”
He said another arborist company began cutting down the sequoia on Tuesday, with work expected to take several days.
Johnston said the school appeared to be “ill-educated about the safety of it” and suggested child safety concerns were driving the decision.
“It’s one in a million chance,” he said of any risk the tree might pose.
A group of local arborists has written to the school expressing “strong confidence that the tree does not present an imminent or unacceptable risk to students or staff”.
They claim the Education Minister was consulted but may have received “incomplete or potentially inaccurate” advice about the tree’s risk level.
In response, Minister Jo Palmer said the safety of “students, staff and the community” is the government’s “highest priority”.
“Expert advice has guided the decision. We recognise the tree has been an important part of the Franklin Primary School community for many years,” she said.
“The school will work closely with students, staff, and the local community to celebrate its history, honour the memories associated with it, and explore ways to ensure its legacy continues within the school grounds.”
The arborists are demanding a transparent assessment by an independent Level 5 consulting arborist and the release of existing risk reports.
Johnston said Tasmania has already lost two similar trees in Hobart parks, making preservation of this specimen more critical.
“As far as my knowledge goes, a risk assessment has been done on it and it’s fine,” he said.
The removal is continuing despite the protests, with arborists saying once work progresses further, saving the tree will become impossible.
A Department for Education, Children and Young People spokesperson confirmed the tree was being removed for safety reasons.
“The decision to remove the tree at Franklin Primary School was made after a large limb fell during the school day late last week, forcing the temporary closure of the site and the relocation of students and staff in the immediate area while it was made safe,” they said.
“This incident occurred less than a month after maintenance works were carried out on the tree following a similar event.”
“Following expert advice and consultation, removal of the tree was identified as the only way to ensure the ongoing safety of students and staff.
Despite efforts over many years to manage and reduce the risks it posed, the tree continued to present an unacceptable safety hazard.”
The spokesperson added that the tree’s root system had caused damage to surrounding pathways and underground infrastructure.
“The school will be engaging with students, staff, and the local community on ideas for recognising and celebrating the history of the tree with the Franklin community,” they said.
