So, I Got to Talk Trees on the Radio!
Last month, I found myself in the unexpected role of tree law expert on ABC Radio Perth. The topic? The recent, shocking incident of deliberate tree poisoning near Albany. It was a sobering reminder of the ongoing threats faced by our natural environment.
Amber Cunningham, the host, was an absolute gem. She made me feel like we were just two friends chatting about trees. We were both really cross about this sad story where an Albany rural property owner decided to poison 69 mature jarrah and marri trees. The trees weren’t even on his land, and that makes it much worse from a legal perspective.
I explained that while the laws protecting trees on public land are stronger than those relating to private land, the applicable fines often fall short of acting as a true deterrent.
In Albany the fine is only $350 for unlawful tree removal. But for this person, he poisoned so many trees that the fines would add up just over $24,000. Ouch! And he may also face a potential $250,000 fine from the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, for unlawful native vegetation clearing. Hefty fines indeed.
I also threw in a little history lesson about tree laws. Turns out, the old Germanic tribes had a pretty brutal way of dealing with tree killers. They'd nail you to the tree with your own guts! Now, I wasn’t suggesting we bring that back, but where incidents like this Albany poisoning continue to occur, it's clear that stronger deterrents are needed.
All in all, it was a valuable experience. I even got to suggest some ways things could be made better, like the culprit re-planting way more trees than he killed and the council keeping some of the dead ones as homes for wildlife.
So, there you have it - my 15 minutes of tree-talking fame! Who knows, maybe I'll have made a difference.
For more information
ABC News: WA farmer offers to revegetate after admitting poisoning dozens of native trees - ABC News
Interview: If you would like to listen to the radio interview you can request it from ABC Radio via this link: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/perth-saturdaybreakfast/saturday-breakfast/104097216
Author: Please contact PhD candidate, Emma Scaife: emma.scaife@research.uwa.edu.au
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