Bedfordale Bushfires Brigade save 200 year old tree

The City of Armadale has an incredibly dedicated group of bushfire brigade volunteers who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty.

In late January, as a result of numerous lightning strikes a large Jarrah tree, estimated to be more than 200 years old was set alight. It is one of the largest trees in Bungendore Park and supports a large range of fauna as a significant habitat tree.

Due to the height and location of the tree the easy option would have been for the tree to be cut down and dropped to the ground to extinguish. In this case the Bedfordale Volunteer Bushfire Fire Brigade assisted by Armadale Fire and Rescue Service persisted with trying to extinguish the tree, a task which took an additional three to four hours of their volunteered time. The result of their dedication was the preservation of a very significant, irreplaceable tree.

“The City of Armadale is fortunate to have three species of threatened and endangered Black Cockatoos in reserves within the City,” said Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP.

“Jarrah and Marri trees are generally 200 years old before they produce the necessary hollows suitable for nesting of Black Cockatoos. Jarrah trees also provide important foraging habitat for these birds and are crucial to the continued recovery of these iconic species of Black Cockatoo.

“This is just one example of the contributions our firefighters make towards their community on a daily basis. The preservation of this tree has long term ecological benefits.

“Their community spirit and dedication to our local area is what continually improves the City of Armadale and makes it a wonderful place to live, work and visit,” he said.