A historic carob tree that has kept Mandurah's Christ’s Church Anglican parish in shade for the more than a century will be cut down after partially collapsing at the beginning of March.
The tree, which is in the front of the church on Sholl Street, was inspected by an arborist who determined it had lost its structural integrity and was cracking away from the stump.
Parish priest Father Joseph Hopkins told parishioners the arborist would seek permission from the City of Mandurah to remove the tree, which one of only two carob trees on the significant tree register.
“When the tree has been removed, members of the parish council will investigate what should replace it in that garden,” Father Hopkins said.
“We have also been advised that we should not allow any access to the path past the tree as it is too dangerous.
“This includes the use of the front door. Therefore all access to the church will be through the side door near the parish office.”
Earlier in March part of the tree collapsed into Sholl Street, obstructing traffic.
No one was injured in the incident and there was only minor damage to a vehicle.
A spokesman from Christ’s Church said at the time that they maintained the trees as much as possible, and there had been issues of trucks and large vehicles clipping older branches.
“We trim the trees all the time to prevent this, but clearly we couldn’t have stopped this,” he said.
“It’s sad, too, because it’s a 100 year-old tree, it’s a big part of Mandurah.”
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
