Killer Trees - environmental protection versus safety

This was one of the many incidents of falling branches from towering and brittle eucalyptus tress. This branch on the ground measuring 7.8 metres in length was by far the largest and heaviest encountered in recent times. The tree stood only 3.4 metres from the house foundation had always been a worry. As the path is a thoroughfare for entry by the side gate, the falling branch missed me and a child, and possibly passers by, by hours. It was indeed a close shave. A week later, another branch fell. Though smaller and less threatening, it was a cause for great concern. It is the natural characteristic of gum trees to shed leaves and brittle branches especially in summer and autumn.

After battling red tape and strict preservation regulations, we finally got permission to remove the tree. It is forbidden to cut down or even prune any eucalyptus tree without very good reasons as these are native protected species. Approval from the council is mandatory upon application with payment for the evaluation which has been increased to $80 for the first 3 trees.
Much as we love nature and love to protect the environmental and ecological balance, the bottomline is whether human lives could be safeguarded? Whenever it was windy or stormy, we feared for our lives and avoid getting too near to huge and unstable trees.