Musings

The Age

Saturday May 3, 2008

Lyn McGrath

WHAT IS THE MONETARY value of mature trees? According to my insurance company, absolutely nothing.

Late on Saturday night I heard a sickening crash. Fortunately a quick-witted neighbour was out before I was, but it was the police he called, not the ambulance. The young P-plate driver had climbed out of his wrecked car bruised but relatively unharmed.

He had lost control of his vehicle and slid across the road, slamming into the trees which serve as my front fence. The momentum carried him deep into the tree line. Tree trunks were ripped out of the ground before coming to rest tangled in low branches that served as a privacy screen, sound barrier and border between the footpath and my front garden.

Attempts to winch the wedged car free with a tow truck failed, so a chainsaw was produced. I stood by helplessly as several of my damaged trees were "pruned" indiscriminately in the dark.

My insurance company is not interested in the mess left behind, or in tree replacements. Insurance covers a front fence or garden wall, but trees marking a boundary aren't regarded as insurable property. If trees had fallen on the house then house repairs would be covered. But damage to trees? Sorry, lady. Thankfully the young man's property cover seems to be more accommodating.

Naturally, I am saddened by the destruction, but even more I resent the fact that years of growth have been wiped out in one minute of careless driving. It will take new plantings many years of growth to restore the appearance of my plantation. This is not something that compensation can replace.

Now I need to formulate some plans after the broken branches and roots have been removed and uprooted trunks chipped. I must decide whether to make a feature of the gaping hole or try to match the remaining row of trees. I long for something that will grow quickly.

A smart choice will be essential, something hardy so that watering does not become an issue. How beautiful a row of Eucalyptus caesia ('Silver Princess') would look but they would take too long to mature. Maybe some callistemons or grevilleas would be more practical. I will visit my local Australian native nursery and talk to the very helpful guru there. Or should I just give up and have a fence or a wall built instead? Whatever, a new garden project has unexpectedly presented itself.

© 2008 The Age

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