Heat-stressed trees putting SA residents at risk
South Australians are urged to stay vigilant as extreme heat conditions weaken trees, increasing the risk of unexpected collapses and falling branches.
Prolonged heat and a lack of rainfall has not only pushed South Australians to their limits, it has also taken a toll on the state’s trees, particularly red gums, weakening their structures and increasing the risk of collapse.
After the state endured one of the driest summers, the South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) responded to 1277 requests for assistance regarding fallen trees, many of which damaged homes, properties and vehicles across the metropolitan area.
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a warmer than average start to autumn, SASES Chief Officer Chris Beattie warns that the risk of heat-stressed trees is far from over.
With trees displaying little to no obvious warnings of being distressed, and collapses taking place without notice, he said the public needs to be proactive and mindful of their surroundings.
“People with safety concerns regarding trees should contact their local council in the first instance if the tree is on public land, or an arborist if the tree is on private property,’’ he said.
State Duty Officer Craig Brassington said the SES is prepared to continue assisting South Australians with more tree-related requests as the high risk period continues into autumn.
“We are a 24/7 service, and we have a team of 1600-1700 qualified volunteers who can attend to these assistance requests,” he said.
Although many of the requests for assistance during the summer were related to the collapse of trees and falling of branches on homes and properties, he said the SES team attended to the collapse of a tree on a vehicle in the Richmond area earlier this year, emphasising the need for the public to be more aware of their surroundings to minimise risks.
The SASES advises the public to avoid parking under trees whenever possible to reduce the risk of tree-related damage.
Stay informed, daily
With no sign of rain or cooler temperatures expected in early autumn, the SASES recommends that the public be prepared and take a few simple precautionary measures.
Ensuring insurance policies are adequate to cover tree-related damages, inspecting trees in and around your property, trimming hanging branches, promptly fixing any roof damage, and parking vehicles under cover whenever possible are some of the steps to minimise risk.
Further information on how to protect your property amidst extreme heat in autumn can be found at ses.sa.gov.au .
