Tree vandalism is a growing problem Sydney-wide, with local councils turning to creative measures to both penalise and discourage this illegal act.
Lane Cove Council, spanning 10 km² on the Lower North Shore region of Sydney, New South Wales have gotten creative, in response to growing instances of tree vandalism in the area. In August 2024, Lane Cove Council successfully installed a double-sided banner in bright red, sending a clear message to all that tree vandalism does not go unnoticed.
Following the largest tree vandalism case in Lane Cove, more than 290 trees from a threatened ecological community containing Aboriginal Heritage in Longueville were illegally destroyed. Affected tree species in the Council-owned bushland include Eucalyptus Angophora, Banksia and Casuarina.
Given the extent and seriousness of the damage, the Council is pursing criminal prosecution. Until the matter is heard before the court, the strongest possible recourse has been implemented.
A 7×2 metre banner states, “trees shouldn’t die for a view” interrupts harbour views of the property which would most benefit from the mass clearing of trees. Approved by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the sign is a clever response to “stand tall against tree vandalism.”
Council representatives say, “The community can be assured that our earlier commitment remains: that every effort will be made and the strongest possible action will be taken having regard to all of the circumstances of the case.”
Native trees poisoned, hacked and cut down, impacting local fauna
Meanwhile, in Castle Cove, residents of the City of Willoughby are reeling from similar cases of tree vandalism. At least 265 trees were illegally killed along a streetscape of architecturally designed waterfront homes worth up to 6 million dollars in 2023. Similarly, Bankias and Angophoras up to 100 years old were deliberately poisoned, hacked and cut down within a 3.6km² patch of publicly-owned bushland reserve.
The destroyed area consists of plant and threatened fauna species that depend on the habitat for food and shelter, with connecting bushland home to many wallabies, birds, and bandicoots.
Willoughby City Council says, “It will take decades for the natural assets to grow back to its original state. The trees will take more than a lifetime to reach the same scale of the large, mature trees lost in this event. In addition to this, the chemicals used to kill the trees are now present in the soil and can run-off into Middle Harbour.”
The Council’s stance on tree vandalism is clear; so clear, in fact, it’s signposted in front of the enviable harbour views the trees were removed for. Willoughby Council have installed signage with an eyesore of a memo: “Selfish acts of destructive vandalism have occurred in this area.”
A growing concern for residents, council and conversation groups
In the Ku-ring-gai Council area alone, there were more than 600 reported cases of tree vandalism between 2022 and 2023, according to ABC News.
Julian Parry, owner of Arbor Pride says, “As a qualified arborist and horticulturalist passionate about sustainable tree care, seeing the senseless destruction unfold in our city is heartbreaking. Unlike tree loppers that could easily get up to $15,000 to kill a tree, our tree management philosophy aligns with respect and care for the local environment.”
So what can be done to mitigate this growing problem? Julian believes part of the answer lies in educating the public.
Julian states, “Trees are essential not just for environmental and conservation reasons but for thriving, sustainable and liveable communities. As urbanisation accelerates in our busy, bustling city, trees for offsetting the urban heat island effect are critical in highly developed hotspots.”
In addition to education on the benefit of trees—such as improving air quality, cooling surrounding streets and houses, reducing the costs of cooling and overall, helping people feel better—Julian is a strong advocate for planting trees.
“The Arbor Day Foundation in the United States are aiming to plant 500 million trees by 2027 in areas where they’re needed most,” says Julian. “We like to mirror that kind of ambition here locally, by organising and participating in community tree planting events. Not only are we ‘greening our city’ but it’s a great way to relieve stress, particularly in today’s fast-paced world.”
To learn more about tree preservation and bush regeneration initiatives, visit Landcare Australia or contact your local government council.
Sources:
- Killers in the Suburbs, ABC News (2024)
- Investigation into Castle Cove tree vandalism, Willougby Council (2023)
- Tree Vandalism Update, Lane Cove Council (2024)
- Standing tall against tree vandalism, Lane Cove Council (2024)
- Willoughby City Council takes a stand against tree vandalism, Willoughby Council (2023)
