Moreton Bay fig trees in Kings Square

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Consultation has concluded

In June this year, we engaged the community on the future of two Moreton Bay figs located in Kings Square, Fremantle.


A decision was made by Fremantle Council in July to remove and replace the trees, which followed the engagement process in which the community supported removing and replacing the ailing trees rather than trying to manage the ever increasing risks associated with keeping them.

To help the legacy of these trees live on, the timber was made available to community groups, artists and individuals through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. This has now closed.

The two Moreton Bay

In June this year, we engaged the community on the future of two Moreton Bay figs located in Kings Square, Fremantle.


A decision was made by Fremantle Council in July to remove and replace the trees, which followed the engagement process in which the community supported removing and replacing the ailing trees rather than trying to manage the ever increasing risks associated with keeping them.

To help the legacy of these trees live on, the timber was made available to community groups, artists and individuals through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. This has now closed.

The two Moreton Bay Figs trees will be replaced with two mature trees. A London Plane tree will be relocated this week to replace the fig to the south of St John’s Church. The search for a mature Moreton Bay Fig to replace the 'Christmas Fig' is ramping up, with several mature trees already identified as possible replacements. Once a decision on the replacement tree is made by the council, the tree will start being prepared for its move to Kings Square.


Background


The two Moreton Bay Fig trees in question are shown on the map below as no. 4 and no. 5.

  • No. 4 is located on the eastern side of St John's Church (also known as the 'Christmas fig').
  • No. 5 is located on the southern side of the church near the chessboard.

The Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) is a large, spreading tree that usually has a dense crown. They originate from Australia’s east coast, distributed in rainforest from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales. Because of their advancing age and visible decline, the City of Fremantle has been monitoring and managing the health of the fig trees in Kings Square and other parts of Fremantle since 2008.


Why is council being asked to consider this now?

Council approved the final Kings Square Public Realm Concept Design in February 2018. The design aimed to retain as many healthy Moreton Bay figs as possible in recognition of their contribution to the cultural significance of the square. These two trees were included on the basis the City’s management efforts would stabilise or improve the health of these trees and they would contribute to the amenity of Kings Square beyond the renewal.

Since this time there has been further deterioration in these two trees and one is now a public safety risk.

The advice received on tree no.4 in the latest health and condition report (April 2018) is:

"Given the significant canopy decline over the last 5 years, the worsening structural condition of the tree and the proposed playground, this tree is not considered functionally viable and has lost much of its aesthetics. Removal of the tree and replacement with advanced specimens would provide the landscape with a better outcome for the coming decades."

Tree no. 5 did not pass a tree risk assessment in April 2018 and the recommended options were to:

Reduce limbs over the footpath by 30-40% and maintain this indefinitely, remove deadwood on the eastern side or remove the tree based on safety grounds.

Pruning has since been undertaken on tree no. 5 and will need to be continued, find out more below.


What state are the two trees in and what do we know about their future?

Moreton Bay figs are slow growing but observation and documentation of these trees in the Perth region suggests our longer growing period and sandy soils (combined with irrigation) could accelerate their growth rate compared to their native habitat, with a possible effect of shortening their overall lifespan.

They are generally a long-lived species but there is little published literature on their longevity in the greater Perth region. Evidence suggests these two figs were planted in or around the 1880s, making them around 130 years old.

Photographs from 1957 show at that time no paving around the trees, they were most likely surrounded by turf. In the mid-1980s the trees were ‘containerised’ by excavating and building limestone walls with footings. Excavation was probably 600-800mm and is likely to have severed roots. As a relatively slow growing species, possible decline from this could take some time to become evident. The fig trees along Queen Street were not ‘containerised’ and are still healthy.


Tree no.4, 2012 - 2018

Tree No.4 (eastern side of St. Johns Church, also known as the Christmas Fig)

  • The tree has a high significance in Kings Square.

  • Is possibly the oldest fig tree in Kings Square, based on a photograph from 1947 which shows it advanced and larger than the other fig trees.

  • The City of Fremantle commissioned health and condition reports in 2012, 2016 & 2018.

  • Its current health is very poor with a significant decline in the last 5-10 years.

  • Given the advanced age of the tree (estimated at 130 years old) this rate of change is considered acute.

  • In 2016 the tree was categorised as having a useful life expectancy (ULE) of 10 years (but uncertain given the state of decline). In 2018 it was categorised with a ULE of 0 years, unless it improves.

  • It has lost 80-90% of its foliage (see the aerial shots to get a view of the canopy).

  • As a result, the upper branches are now sunburnt and there is decay evident on the upper side.

  • The south stem is in very poor condition and appears to be starting to die off. The northern stem is declining from fair to poor health.

  • There are small ‘epicormic’ shoots on lower branches. This growth is a result of increased light penetration, not necessarily an indication of health improvement. This growth is from dormant buds and is usually a response from stress.

Tree no.4, May 2018


Based on expert recommendations the City has:

  • Given the tree Glutothione injections, a naturally occurring enzyme.

  • Lifted the pavers around the tree, topped up the surrounding area with soil and mulch and restricted access around the root zone to improve water and air penetration to the roots.

  • Changed the watering volume and frequency.

  • Applied fertiliser.

  • Removed plants from the root zone.

  • Placed mulch on the root zone.

Despite these efforts, to date, there has been no sign of improvement in the condition of the tree.


Tree No.5 (southern side of St. Johns Church)

This tree has been under active management since 2008 and the City has followed advice to manage its condition. Despite this, in March 2018 a large branch fell from the tree to the footpath below. In response, the City sought advice from an arborist who recommended the tree be further pruned or removed to ensure public safety. The City completed this pruning in April 2018.


Tree no.5 - snapped limb - March 2018

  • It is currently in fair health although the most recent inspection in April 2018 noted a decline in canopy since September 2015.
  • It has a poor structural condition. To maintain public safety it will require ongoing pruning and it will not have a spreading canopy or provide significant shade that fig trees are valued for.
  • Given the recent falling limb, public safety issues with this tree is an ongoing concern for the City.
  • If the tree is retained, there is likely to be considerable on-going management and monitoring costs.

Relocated London Plane Trees - Kings Square, May 2018



Consultation has concluded
  • Memory of Kings Square fig trees to live on

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    Picture frames, works of art and furniture are among the items to be created using wood from the Kings Square Moreton Bay Fig trees. In August the City called for expressions of interest from artists, community groups and other people interested in using the wood.

    Read the full release on the City of Fremantle website.

  • Call for expressions of interest for fig tree wood

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    The City of Fremantle is calling on artists, community groups and other interested people to submit their claim for a piece of Fremantle’s history – timber from two Moreton Bay Fig trees from Kings Square Fremantle.

    To help the legacy of these trees live on, the timber is being made available to the community via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process which closes on Friday 31 August.

    To find out more about the EOI process click here.
  • Council decision on the Kings Square fig trees

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    A recommendation to replace two declining fig trees in Fremantle’s Kings Square with mature trees has been endorsed by Council.

    The proposal to replace the trees with a mature London Plane and Moreton Bay fig was unanimously agreed by council on Wednesday, 25 July 2018.

    For more information on the council decision, read the media release and the council minutes.

  • Recommendation on Kings Square fig trees to be presented to council

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    A recommendation to remove the two Moreton Bay Fig trees in Kings Square will be considered by council on 25 July 2018, subject to support being obtained from the State Heritage Office and the Anglican Church before either tree is removed .

    The report recommends tree No. 5 be replaced with a mature London Plane tree as a priority, to reinforce the proposed civic area in Kings Square.

    A suitably advanced Moreton Bay Fig tree is recommended to replace tree No. 4 (‘Christmas Tree’). The availability, preparation and timing for transplant will determine when the replacement process can be completed.

  • Feedback

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    In June 2018, the City of Fremantle invited feedback from the community on whether to retain or remove and replace two Kings Square fig trees. The engagement included:

    • an online questionnaire, which provided 101 responses.
    • a community information session on 21 June at Fremantle Town Hall, attended by eight community members.
    Engagement findings

    • Nearly three quarters (73%) of the participants support the ‘Christmas fig’ being removed and replaced with another mature tree.
    • People who support replacing the Christmas fig expressed varying views on a preferred replacement species. 20% said they would like to see the tree replaced with another mature Moreton Bay fig tree, 22% said they would not like to see the tree replaced with another Moreton Bay fig and suggested a different tree species would be more suitable for the location, and 31% did not express a view or suggest a replacement species.
    • Approximately one quarter (26%) of contributors said they would prefer the Christmas fig be retained.
    • Around two-thirds (69%) of participants support replacing the Moreton Bay fig tree on the southern side of St John’s church (No 5).
    • The proposal that No 5 Moreton Bay fig be replaced with a mature London Plane tree to align with other London Plane trees transplanted in May 2018 received varied response. 50% of participants were supportive of the Moreton Bay fig being replaced with a London Plane tree as proposed or did not comment on their preferred replacement species, implying no preference. A fair number (13%) of participants opposed the idea of replacing the fig tree with a London Plane tree, claiming they cause allergic reactions in some people or a personal dislike for the species. A small number (3%) of people said they would prefer the tree to be replaced with another Moreton Bay fig and a further 3% said they would prefer a West Australian native species.
    • Nearly one third (30%) of contributors said retaining the (No 5) Moreton Bay fig tree was the best option.
  • Community engagement concluded and next steps

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    Feedback on the future of two Moreton Bay fig trees in Kings Square has now closed. The City of Fremantle will now review the feedback and provide an update shortly.