El Grande Dead
Comments: 6
El Grande, a mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) thought to have been the largest hardwood tree (and largest flowering plant) in the world, has been pronounced dead, victim of a controlled burn that went wrong.
Giant tree destroyed by fire
Phil Mercer, BBCAn independent report has confirmed Australian environmentalists’ claims that fire has devastated Australia’s tallest tree on the island of Tasmania.
Standing at 260 feet (79m) the massive hardwood, known as El Grande, stood unharmed by man for almost four centuries.
Forestry officials in the southern Australian state have admitted a routine burn-off went out of control.
But environmentalists have accused the authorities of being unfit to protect one of the world’s most diverse rainforests.
One more time: “… stood unharmed by man for almost four centuries.”
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Posted to • 2003.06.01 (Sun) • 16:30
Comments
Who cares?
Posted by frazer 2003.06.03, 00:45
pain’full > as is the last comment >
Posted by Discover Tasmania 2003.06.26, 14:48
Posted by Ray 2003.12.11, 09:37
News.com.au: Flaming fools kill forest giant, By Simon Benson December 11, 2003
‘Forestry Tasmania finally admitted to responsibility for its death through an “accidental burning”.’
Who Cares?
Just about anyone with any brains, and indeed some of those with a demonstrated lack thereof:
it was not until the detailed measurements of El Grande in 2002 that a decision was taken to institute a revised policy to identify and protect ‘giant’ trees (ie: trees with a volume exceeding 280m3 metres) (Forestry Tasmania media release, May 03)
So, after being forced to admit that even if trees aren’t over 85m tall they do still have some cultural relevance, it seems out of spite or plain idiocy they then burn down the evidence.
But wait, they do care after all!
Seeds from El Grande containing the genetic ‘giant’ characteristics of the parent tree were collected and stored last year so that progeny from the large tree can be grown again.
Or, more to the point, FT scientists can clone it, so that they can breed an army of super-regnans to take over Tasmania!
No no no, don’t be silly, it’s so they can undo the wrongs and provide a brand new 400 year old tree for conservationists to look after, and this time they can make it moveable! A 400 year old, 80m tall pot plant, forever safe from napalm burnoffs in your own backyard, for only three easy payments of $39.95
Yeah, www.discover-tasmania.com, but then get some globalgreens.info
Posted by Virulentwaif 2004.06.10, 11:47
Okay I know Im late in posting on this topic, but for a small minded, idiot like ‘X’ to say “who cares?” when a multinational company destroys the environment shows the imbred stupidity of some people. ‘El Grande’ is a figurehead tree granted, there are bigger and more secret ‘big trees’ in Tassie, but for Forestry Tasmania to say they will care for them all and not allow this ‘accident’ to happen again smaks at hypocrasy. Forestry Tasmania is run by corrupt, money hungry fools who can only think about their own futures, not the future of the planet. ‘X’ who ever he/she is, is obviously the sort of person who would quite happily dump his/her bag of macca’s rubbish out of their car rather than put it in a bin. The environment comes first, humanity is a small part of the environment and until egotistical fools accept this fact we will continue to need the conservationalists and protesters like myself. be well!!!!
Posted by Lk 2007.03.04, 04:24
- R.I.P “El Grand” *
Tasmania will be one giant & f**ked up, clear-felled disaster in a decade or so :-(
R.I.P Tasmania -> “EVACUATION TIME SAYS GUNNS” - would be typical of this monster of a company…
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