Diagnostic Testing
Significant Tree Management
Fred is a famous Port Jackson Fig Ficus rubiginosa tree that was dug out of the Homebush abattoir site which is now the Sydney Olympic site, it was then transported by barge to be installed in Tumbalong Park, as part of the Darling Harbour development in the late 1980s.
Fred the Fig later developed an opening in the base of the stem which disclosed a sizeable internal cavity. Dennis first tested this tree with the resistograph in 2006 and found the base to be substantially hollow because of a fungal decay which caused wood-rot.
In 2009 Adrian was commissioned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshores Authority to carry out a QTRA assessment on Fred. He recommended that a barrier and signage be installed to prevent access to the base of the tree.
To prevent the stem breaking, a restraint system to hold the crown in place up and limit lateral movement under windy conditions was designed and installed by Bill Goddard of Total Height Safety.
Fred the Fig is still there today behind an exclusion-zone ‘barrier’ of box hedge.
Scope:
- Visual Tree Assessment
- Testing for internal decay
- Resistograph
- QTRA
- Hazard & Risk Assessment
