Bassendean's 75-Year-Old River Red Gum at Risk After Lighting Upgrades
The Town of Bassendean is scrambling to try to save a large mature tree that is now suddenly 'declining in health' at Bassendean Oval after lighting upgrades at the site. The town said the 75-year-old river red gum tree at the north-eastern end of the oval near the carpark had begun showing signs of declining health in recent weeks, which coincided with the recent completion of the lighting project in August.
Lighting Project and Tree Protection Measures
The project, which was completed by a contractor for the city, included installing four new floodlight towers. The town said it was not possible to determine the reason for the tree's decline. During the recent lighting upgrade project, the town followed a specialist tree protection report and put several measures in place to protect the tree.
These included avoiding the tree's roots, using clean tools, preserving larger roots by digging around them, and providing additional watering throughout the project. Signage and fencing have now been installed, in consultation with Swan Districts Football Club, in efforts to protect the tree.
Urgent Recovery Efforts
The town's urban forest team had increased watering and applied Seasol, wetting agents, trace elements and soil microbes to support the tree's recovery. Former mayor Renee McLennan shared her sadness on social media.
'For decades this tree has been an oval landmark and provided shade for generations of locals cheering on the Swannies. Many have sat beneath it on hot afternoons, grateful for the relief from the sun while enjoying the game,' she said.
'Trees like this take decades to grow but can be lost so quickly. It shows how important proper protections are when works happen near established trees and the need for consequences for those who don't take the necessary care.'
Uncertain Future for the Tree
At this stage it is uncertain if the tree will ever fully recover and may need to be removed. The community is deeply concerned about the potential loss of this iconic tree, which has been a fixture at the oval since the 1950s.
The town continues to monitor the tree's health closely, but the situation remains precarious. Residents and local officials are hoping for a positive outcome, but the risk of removal looms large if the tree does not show significant improvement soon.
