Fury Erupts as 125-Year-Old Giant Sequoia Cut Down at Franklin School
A 125-year-old giant sequoia, towering over generations of students, is being cut down and the community is demanding answers.
At Franklin Primary School in Tasmania, a tree planted back in 1901 has become the center of a heated dispute. The massive giant sequoia, standing around 30 meters tall, has long been a landmark on the school grounds. But after a large limb fell during school hours last week, forcing temporary classroom closures and the relocation of students and staff, education authorities made the call to remove it.
Officials say safety comes first. According to the Department for Education, expert advice concluded that removing the tree was the only way to guarantee ongoing safety. They point to multiple incidents this month involving falling limbs, despite maintenance work carried out earlier. There are also concerns about root damage to nearby pathways and underground infrastructure. From the government’s perspective, the risk had become unacceptable.
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But not everyone agrees.
Local arborists are pushing back strongly. Several tree experts argue the sequoia was structurally sound and could have been managed rather than destroyed. They describe the decision as rushed, even calling it a “knee-jerk reaction.” One arborist questioned whether a fully qualified, independent consulting arborist was involved in the final assessment. Others claim that alternative safety measures, such as additional bracing, debris management, or installing protective netting or catch systems, could have reduced the risk at a lower cost than removal.
The debate has now spilled into the public arena. Arborists have written to the school, calling for transparency and the release of risk reports. Some removal companies reportedly refused to take on the job because of the tree’s historical value. And critics argue that Tasmania has already lost similar mature specimens in recent years, making this one even more significant.
For many in the Franklin community, this tree was more than timber and branches. It was a living classroom. A symbol of resilience. A connection to history. Education Minister Jo Palmer has defended the decision, saying student and staff safety is the government’s highest priority and promising the school will find ways to honor the tree’s legacy.
But as chainsaws continue to echo across the school grounds, emotions remain high. This is not just about one tree. It raises bigger questions about how communities balance safety, heritage, environment and expert advice.
Stay with us as this story develops, because decisions like this shape not only schoolyards, but how we value history and nature in the spaces we share.
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