Centuries-old grass tree rescued on Bunya Mountains National Park
Issued: 24 Jun 2024

We’ve given a storm damaged grass tree the chance to live for another few hundred years!

Photo credit: Mark Casey © Queensland Government

Issued
24 June 2024
Region

In late January, a grass tree (Xanthorrhoea glauca) estimated to be several-hundred years old was blown down in a storm at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park.

But Rangers from the Bunya Mountains and Kingaroy work units joined forces to give the ancient grass tree a chance to survive another few hundred years!

Rangers Matt, Brad, Lucas, Dan, Kieran, Steve, and Mark all worked together to perform the mammoth and intricate rescue operation to ultimately give the storm-damaged grass tree a new lease on life.

The united team gathered resources to improvise a makeshift tripod and straps to lift the tree up from the ground so some of its branches could be trimmed to reduce the top-heavy weight. Two vehicle winches were then used to stand the tree, being careful not to further damage the root ball.

Rangers cutting a grass tree with a chainsaw at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park. The work is cautioned off by yellow and black caution tape and orange witches hats.
A grass tree being pulled upright by a vehicle winch, cautioned off by yellow and black tape and orange witches hats, at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park.
Rangers cutting a grass tree with a chainsaw at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park. The work is cautioned off by yellow and black caution tape and orange witches hats. Rangers carefully trimming some of the grass tree branches. Photo credit: Mark Casey © Queensland Government A grass tree being pulled upright by a vehicle winch, cautioned off by yellow and black tape and orange witches hats, at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park. A vehicle winch is used to stand the tree upright to its original position. Photo credit: Mark Casey © Queensland Government

Once the tree was standing it was propped up with ratchet straps and a wooden stand carved with a chainsaw. The roots were given a dose of liquid fertiliser and diligently watered every day for a couple of weeks to assist its chances of survival.

After some time to recover, in late March the tree was given a burn to promote new growth.

A grass tree propped up by a tripod and ratchet straps, enclosed by a yellow caution tape barrier and orange witches hats, at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park.
A grass tree with a low burn occurring near its leaves.
A grass tree propped up by a tripod and ratchet straps, enclosed by a yellow caution tape barrier and orange witches hats, at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park. A makeshift tripod holds the tree in place to assist with its recovery. Photo credit: Mark Casey © Queensland Government A grass tree with a low burn occurring near its leaves. The tree was burned to promote new growth. Photo credit: Mark Casey © Queensland Government

A couple of months later, Eastern Highlands Senior Ranger Mark headed to the Burtons Well picnic area to check on the grass tree’s welfare and recovery.

“If you look closely, you can see some new shoots growing, so it’s very promising,” he said.

Here’s to a few more hundred years on Bunya Mountains National Park for this special, and wise old tree.

A recovering grass tree propped up by a tripod and ratchet straps, enclosed by a metal fence, at Burtons Well picnic area, Bunya Mountains National Park. Open larger image

The tree photographed in June, with some new shoots visible after the burn.

Photo credit: Mark Casey © Queensland Government

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