‘Autopsy’ on protected Milkwood Tree

The department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (DAFF) confirmed that Arnold Belo, chair of Les Dauphine’s body corporate, has applied for a permit to remove the indigenous coastal red Milkwood (‘Dull and leafless milkwood’, Courier, January 18).

However, DAFF’s Kim Weir said they will perform a full autopsy and test the tree to find out the causes of death, whether it died of natural causes or from poisoning.

“People are very clever – they poison a tree at night and then ask for a permit from us to remove it during the day,” said Weir.

He confirmed that DAFF would do a full investigation into the tree to see what the cause is.

“We will test the timber and bark once it is down and get it tested in-house and come back with the results,” said Weir.

He added that many people use the department as a scapegoat.

The North Coast Surfers Union’s Robin Lavery has condemned the act.

“Whether the specimen was poisoned or died of “shock” amounts to the same thing, we have lost another wonderful coastal red Milkwood, a government protected species.”

Over a year has passed since two protected Milkwood trees were chopped down in the Les Dauphine complex (‘Not a clever feller,’ Courier, February 2). The trees that are protected under the National Forests Act of 1998 (Act 84 of 1998) cannot be removed without a licence granted by the department.

- By Michael Paterson