A historic Paddy's River Box tree will remain in Burradoo and more specimens will be planted to ensure the future of the vulnerable species. On November 7 a large section of the threatened tree fell on the corner of Moss Vale and Eridge Park Road.
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A spokesperson from Wingecarribee Shire Council said crews had been onsite and inspected the tree.
"They'll be undertaking some extensive pruning of the tree because it suffered some pretty severe damage which has compromised its structural integrity," they said.
The spokesperson said the tree would not be cut down.
"While it won't be coming down, it will be pruned pretty heavily to ensure its made safe and that should stop further branches from falling in the reserve.
"At the same time as we carry out this pruning, staff will be planting some new 'Paddys River Box' specimens in the reserve to complement the tree that suffered the damage."
This tree is a Eucalyptus macarthurii, or Paddy's River Box, once a very prominent species in the area, but now uncommon due to land clearing. The tree is listed as a Vulnerable Species under the threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The Paddy's River Box is a significant species in Southern Highlands Shale Woodland ecological community which is listed as an Endangered. Growing under the tree are grasses and perennials typical of this community.
The spokesperson said the council had mapped locations of E. macarthurii on roadsides, but they did not know all the locations of the tree on private land.
"Some of these trees are on Land for Wildlife properties in the Shire," they said.
"One of the main threats to this particular species, apart from climate change, is the lack of recruitment. More research is needed to determine how we can improve recruitment (germination and establishment) of this species.
"Council and volunteers have planted this species on land near to the Wingecarribee River and in other locations across the Shire."
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is now responsible for implementing the council's Saving Our Species program.
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