Emotive sentiments have been expressed in Che Hamill-Diehl’s letter in support of the Norfolk Island pines in Byron Bay, and in protest at the removal of trees due to concerns for public safety during the recent cyclone.
Evidence has shown, however, that these iconic trees, rather than being impervious to strong winds as suggested, can indeed be very vulnerable in wild weather. Anyone old enough to remember the super-cell thunderstorm that ravaged Byron Bay in December 1979 will recall how several mature Norfolk Island pines fell across Shirley Street. One crushed the roof of a house where an elderly woman lived alone. Miraculously, she was unharmed. I remember the next day being shocked to see the shallowness of the root system that had anchored the mighty tree to the ground.
These trees are certainly beautiful and iconic, but not invincible. Byron Council was wise to err on the side of caution as Cyclone Alfred approached.
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