A tree that posed a threat many may not have known about has been removed from a popular beachside park, in action welcomed by at least one local resident.
Workers last week cut down the Norfolk Island hibiscus, commonly known as an itchy bomb tree, from Moffat Beach Park.
The tree gets its name from the brown capsules it drops after flowering, containing tiny white fibres that can be very irritating on the skin.
Moffat Beach resident Geoffrey Feeley said he was happy to see the tree go, particularly after his first experience with it.
“My first encounter with that tree was probably about 10 years ago, when I first started to learn how to surf,” the 65-year-old said.
“I took my wetsuit off after one surf and I was parked up underneath the shade of that tree. Not knowing anything about the tree, I put my wetsuit down.
“Next morning, when I went to put my wetsuit back on again, I got prickles right in the groin region, where no one wants prickles.
“Off the wetsuit came and I was just covered in these little prickles.
“The seed pods have these little fine glass-like fibres, which are very irritating and itchy like all hell.”
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson confirmed the tree was removed after complaints from the public.
“A Norfolk Island hibiscus, commonly known as an itchy bomb tree, has been removed from Moffat Beach Park,” they said.
“Council received feedback from the community and the local councillor relating to the nuisance from debris.
“The removal will allow council to plant more shade trees and a garden bed near the seat for the community to enjoy.”
Mr Feeley said he thought most people would be happy with its removal, but acknowledged that some might not be so pleased.
“I guess people are thinking that here’s a beautiful shade tree going but not realising how awful it was, how you couldn’t sit under it because it was all fenced off,” he said.
“There will be a few people who mourn its loss but there won’t be many of them. Most people can be pretty pleased that it’s gone.
“I’ve asked around why no one had taken the tree out and someone said it used to be part of the old caravan park here and it might be Heritage-listed. I don’t know whether that’s true or not.
“They always had it fenced off with this plastic chain and nothing grew underneath it, but it looked like it was going to be there to stay so I was so pleased when I saw it coming out.”
The council spokesperson said the tree was not protected.
“The chain fence was to discourage people from traversing underneath the tree and standing in the itchy debris,” they said.
“Prior to any tree removal, a qualified arborist assesses it. In this case, the tree was not a protected species.”
Mr Feeley said many people had suffered irritations from the tree’s seeds.
“It was a common discussion – people saying, ‘I’ve got stung by the prickles of that tree’,” he said.
“I saw a mum and baby group there one morning and I walked up and they all had their babies crawling around. I said you’ve got to watch these seed pods here because they’re all full of prickles.
“They were quite grateful and thankful that I pointed them out.
“My two sons got those prickles in their feet when they were younger.
“You can’t see the prickles unless you shine a torch on them, and how do you get them out, because like they’re fine little fibres?”
The tree, in the park off Queen of Colonies Parade, had a small sign on it before its removal.
“A plaque identifying the species has since been removed and will be repurposed at a later date,” the council spokesperson said.
Mr Feeley said he was looking forward to seeing what council did with the space.
“A lot of people are going to be delighted about the news and no doubt the council has got some nice plans about making it a nice little green area,” he said.
“That’s a very popular place down there, particularly on the weekend. Families go down there and their kids play cricket and soccer and have barbecues. So, I think everyone’s going to be thrilled with the idea that it’s gone.”
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