Storm damage led to the removal by Council contractors of the jacaranda tree at the corner of Park and Yeates Avenue in Boonah, on Thursday morning.

In response to a question from the Guardian, a Council spokeswoman stated that for the past seven years … "Council had worked hard in an attempt to preserve and retain this veteran Jacaranda tree by mulching around the base, carefully pruning it and planting beneath it with endemic natives in an effort to reduce compaction caused by cars parking on the tree’s root plate and manage risk". 

"As a result of the storm on Wednesday night, a major part of this multi-trunk tree failed and fell onto the footpath and the roadside parking area next to the pedestrian crossing. 

"Council worked efficiently and swiftly to address the risk to the community by having this section of the tree removed."

The spokeswoman said the remaining section of the tree was assessed  … "and found there was also a major failure of the structural roots". 

"Fungus at the base of the tree also indicated that there was decay in the root system. 

"Unfortunately, the remainder of the tree was deemed to pose a risk to public safety and it too was efficiently removed to ensure the footpath, roadside parking and pedestrian crossing could be used safely."