Arboricultural Report No. 0985 - RACV Noosa Resort. · OPW18/0319

Arboricultural Report No.: 0985 – RACV Noosa Resort, 94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, 4567, QLD.
Property Vegetation Hazard / Risk Assessment and Appraisal. (19-09-2018)
Visual Tree Assessment – VTA. (19-09-2018)




 1.3.     COMMENTS / SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS

1.3.1.    After conducting an on-site “Property Hazard / Risk Assessment”, “Visual Tree Assessment”
          (V.T.A.) and “Appraisal”, seven “Subject Trees” in question were identified with concerns; the
          “Issues” and main “Concerns” with these “Subject Trees” at the time of the Assessments
          and Appraisal identifies and places these “Subject Trees” into a High “Hazard / Risk” rating;
          these influences and ratings are set out below:

1.3.2.    The Assessments, Appraisal and Report were instigated in regards to Steven Cooksey,
          RACV Noosa Resort Maintenance Manager’s duty of care of this property in question for all
          that work, visit / holidays and or enters this property.
          His concerns and issues are inflicted on a daily basis with all “Subject Trees” located on the
          infringement of the natural bush land that surrounds the RACV Noosa Resort, extending /
          approaching towards and or over resort dwellings, pathways, recreation areas etc; especially
          when extreme weather events / conditions are approaching.

1.3.3.    This is due to the “Species”, “Age” and “Size”, “Structural stability / Integrity”, “Tree
          health” and most importantly the “Location / Position” of these “Subject Trees”.

1.3.4.    Six of the “Subject Trees” are Eucalyptus robusta – Swamp Mahogany, this is an extremely
          tall / large hardwood species that can reach up to 35 meters.

1.3.5.    All “Subject Trees” are exhibiting hazardous asymmetric phototropic influences and or growth
          form due to the construction and development of this property, a large section / area within
          the property was cleared for construction / development to accommodate the resort dwellings,
          including associated attachments and infrastructure, above and below ground level.
              Note: Phototropism - Growth towards light source and stimulant.

1.3.6.    All “Subject Trees” have had lower limb / stem failures and or have had lower limbs / stems
          removed which are displaying low “Live Crown Ratio” (LCR); due to developing within a
          closed forest environment, before being exposed and now all on the infringement of the
          natural bush land due to the clearing of existing natural vegetation and construction /
          development stage of the RACV Noosa Resort.
              Note: Trees with low LCR (Low Crown Ratio) are acknowledged and or recognized to be
               typically weak and lack vigor.
              Note: An extra problem these trees have to contend with is as a result of over pruning
               and or the loss of their lower canopy, winds hitting these trees are to now impact more
               greatly on the crown as the tree has lost the ability to dissipate force via resistance
               distribution of the lower branches.

1.3.7.    NOTE: Combined, Phototropic growth form, Low Crown Ratio (LCR) and excessive end
          crown weight, including poor tree health with the exposure to excessive wind forces now are
          compromising the structural integrity and stability of these trees in question.

1.3.8.    All “Subject Trees” are displaying excessive amounts of hazardous epicormic growth
          throughout their crowns.
              Note: Epicormic shoots unlike normal branches that develop in a socket of overlapping
               wood tissues are in fact growth anchored only in the outermost layers of the parent
               branches.
               Epicormic shoots grow quickly, up to 6 meters in one year. Unfortunately, these shoots
               are prone to die back and or fail / break off, especially during stormy windy weather.

Regional Arboricultural Services - Est. 1995
Allan John Mulholland
AQF Level 5: Diploma of Horticulture / Arboriculture
Mobile: 0431 261 064 / Email: [email protected] / [email protected]              5