The mighty Diamond Tree is about to be closed to the public
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325759)
Rockingham, Australia
July 11, 2019 5:50am CST
I’ve written about Western Australia’s Diamond Tree before. It is one of several tall karris which have a lookout built near the top. These were used for many years to spot bushfires. Now, after more than 75 years, the tree has been closed to the public indefinitely because of safety concerns.
Between 1937 and 1952, eight trees were chosen to house lookouts. However, with the introduction of spotter planes, the lookouts were no longer required. In 1995, the Diamond Tree was opened to the public and hundreds of tourists and locals have since climbed the 49 metres to the top.
The tree is 250 years old and was pegged as suitable for a lookout in 1940. The cabin was added soon after. Some 130 steel pegs provide access to the cabin but now the lower 8 to 10 metres of pegs will be removed to prevent people from attempting the climb. Arborists say the tree is unsafe because a fungus has made the heartwood soft.
The public will still be able to scale the Gloucester and Bicentennial trees which involve climbs of 53 or 60 metre climbs respectively.
The photo shows a couch-surfer friend climbing the tree although he didn’t go to the top.
26 people like this
26 responses
@snowy22315 (169959)
• United States
11 Jul 19
That would be fun, probably the nanny state in the US wouldn't allow people to do that.
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
12 Jul 19
impressive that such trees can be climbed - not sure if I'd try it now though at 57
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
12 Jul 19
@JudyEv I'd probably get stuck half way. Looks like coming down would be harder than climbing (though coming down the quick unsafe way would be quicker of course).
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul 19
@arthurchappell You could always 'free fall' 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
11 Jul 19
That is a magnificent tree, I hope the pegs didn't hurt the tree for the future.
2 people like this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
11 Jul 19
It is a nice experience to had climbed it; good there's iron "stairs" so one can easily climb.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
12 Jul 19
Great tree indeed.
Here in India there is a device to climb trees.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
11 Jul 19
i fear i'd be'n the side 'f the tree. glad they're takin' such off the touristy thing. makes ya wonder if'n all those spikes 'n folks climbin' o'er the years'd be a partial cause to the fungus?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
12 Jul 19
@JudyEv 're the other 'fire trees' bein' utilized such's this'un? with loads 'f tourists climbin' all o'er? 'twas jest a thought, i know not much 'f anythin' bout the species 'f trees'n yer neck 'f the woods, lol.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul 19
@crazyhorseladycx Tourists can climb the others. I don't know how many do. You'd need to be very fit to even think about it.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
11 Jul 19
In the US they built the watchtowers out of metal. We used to climb the ones in the state part near us in Indiana. This looks like a lot more fuN!!!!!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
12 Jul 19
@JudyEv i think that is why they went to towers in the US.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48937)
• United States
12 Jul 19
I love trees. It's very sad that that the fungus is damaging it.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
12 Jul 19
Hmmm... I wonder if pegging it caused the fungus a place to begin growing?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul 19
I don't know but the other lookout trees haven't been affected.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jul 19
I think a lot of people have climbed that tree over the years.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul 19
The young lad enjoyed it. I didn't try. I might have years ago but the steps are quite far apart. It's quite nice to be too old for some things.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul 19
It's a long way to climb. It would be too high for me.
