General News
4 November, 2026
Trees face axe
SOME of the eight near-100-year-old kauri trees in the Tully Showgrounds may have to be chopped down.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said council was still assessing the state of the trees.
“The extent of the damage is still being assessed and no final decision has been made at this stage,” she said.
“However, we know that some of the trees have sustained damage that is beyond repair.”
But arborist Mark Gough, who said he had been asked by council to quote on removing the trees, believes they don’t need to be axed.
“As someone who makes a living removing trees, you might think I’d welcome the work,” he said.
“But after inspecting these trees, I find myself questioning whether we should be cutting them down at all.
“These magnificent trees are approximately 90-years-old.
“They’ve stood through decades of cyclones, wet seasons and changing generations of Tully residents.
“They’re part of the character of the showgrounds, and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever,” Mr Gough said.
“What concerns me is not that all the trees have defects. Some certainly do. There are cavities, wounds and evidence of decay.
“What concerns me is the assumption that these defects necessarily justify removal.
“As arborists, we’re trained to assess risk, not simply identify defects. There’s an important difference.
“We need to consider how likely a tree is to fail, whether anyone is likely to be beneath it when that happens, what the consequences might be and whether the risk can be managed without removing the tree.
“The Tully Showgrounds is not a busy city footpath. Much of the area experiences relatively infrequent occupation, although the increased exposure during shows and other events must also be considered.
“I’m not suggesting these trees are perfectly safe. No tree is. I’m suggesting we should properly establish the risks before deciding that removal is the only solution.”
Mr Gough said the Tully trees were not necessarily old in biological terms.
“Some may have the potential to remain part of our landscape for hundreds more years,” he said. “That possibility alone should make us think carefully before reaching for the chainsaw.
“Today, arborists have access to technologies such as acoustic tomography, resistance drilling and electrical resistivity tomography.
“These techniques can help identify internal deterioration and provide information about how much sound wood remains.
“They’re not infallible, but they can provide valuable evidence when deciding whether a mature tree can be retained.
“There are also alternatives to complete removal.
“Selective canopy reduction or rebalancing may reduce mechanical loading on some trees. In other cases, establishing exclusion zones, restricting access during adverse weather or implementing regular monitoring may be appropriate.
“Not every measure will suit every tree and some trees genuinely do need to be removed.
“But surely we should investigate those options before deciding to remove eight mature kauri pines.
“I fully appreciate that council has a responsibility to protect public safety. I share that responsibility in my own work.
“The challenge is to assess the actual risk and determine whether it can be managed appropriately.
“These kauri pines have already been part of Tully’s landscape for approximately 90 years. With appropriate management, some may have the potential to remain for generations to come.
“I believe we owe it to the community, and to the people who planted these trees nearly a century ago, to investigate every reasonable option before removing them.
“That’s a question worth answering properly. Because once the chainsaws start, there’s no going back.”
‘A decision not being taken lightly’
Mayor's Response
CASSOWARY Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said as someone who was born and bred in Tully, the large pine trees at the Tully Showgrounds had been part of her life for as long as she could remember.
“I still remember how heartbreaking it was to see these beautiful trees stripped bare and almost destroyed by Cyclone Yasi,” she said.
“For months afterwards, they stood like enormous matchsticks, a stark reminder of the cyclone’s devastating impact on our community.
“Sadly, some of these iconic trees are now reaching the end of their lives and it is incredibly sad to think that some may need to be removed. These trees are more than just trees.
“They are part of Tully’s history, woven into the memories of generations of locals. That history and those memories will always remain, regardless of what happens next.
“Council has been managing these trees and, once the assessments are complete, will need to remove any trees deemed unsafe.
“I understand that this is not the outcome some people would want and it is certainly not a decision to be taken lightly.
“However, council has a duty of care to residents and visitors who use the Tully Showgrounds and the findings of the inspection reports must be taken seriously.
“I understand that the potential loss of these trees will be upsetting for many people. You have every right to feel sad about the possible loss of such familiar landmarks and the memories, history and connections they represent.
“Please also remember that these trees hold special meaning for many of our council staff, many of whom are locals themselves.
“They, too, have grown up with these trees and share the memories and connections that make them so important to our community. These decisions are not easy for them either.
“I will keep the community updated as the assessments progress and once the final outcome is known.
“Whatever the outcome, the memories and history these trees have given our community will remain a part of Tully.”
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