Near miss - Falling gum branches

meetoo · Guru

Near miss - Falling gum branches

HunnyBunny · Senior Member

Always a worry this time of year! Best to keep clear.

macka17 · Guru

Gums are known for it.

Another one, Up North. is the Banana Palm fronds.

They come down from a great hight and I saw one spear into a pillow in a tent. that 20 min's later. would have been occupied by one of the kids.

Was in a holiday camp when kids were young Up in F. N.Q. Balgal.

the rocket · Guru

meetoo wrote:
The van in the photo had only just pulled up for a lunchstop and within a couple of minutes this very large branch fell down next to them. Not surprisingly they packed up and left immediately. It sounded like fireworks going off and the branch took about 10 seconds of slowly getting lower and lower till it finally gave way. Healthy enough looking tree too. I was standing only about 10 metres away. It was quite amazing to actually witness a big branch come down in front of you. No way will I ever park under one ever again.
Cheers, John.

omg. A lucky escape

Desert Dweller · Guru

Ornamental trees drop their leaves, gum trees drop whole branches.

Thank goodness there was no damage to life or property.

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

Ugh....makes it hard when you're expecting 41c

JayDee · Guru

We are currently camped under an old gum tree at the Rotary Park at Echuca.

A couple of nights ago a rather large limb cracked and crashed into the river next to our camp site.

If it had of fallen off on the opposite side of the tree our van would have badly damaged. Under the tree for shade in 36 degree heat. Hope the old tree does not decide to throw any more branches whilst we are here.

A great spot virtually in the heart of Echuca. Dump Point and water. No toilets or rubbish bins, so take rubbish with you as you always do anyway.

But!!!! I repeat Buttt!!!! if you are not prepared to kick in a few $$$$ into the honest box. Do us all a favour and do not visit this great spot. We want this spot to stay for those who are prepared to donate, other wise as politely as I can say ..bugger off.

Jay&Dee

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

There was a death recently . Branches DONT have to rotten to full . Seems after rain . Cool nights on hot days the branches just break off . Some not that small either . You can generally get shade without be UNDER a tree . Just be aware branches full outwards . From under growth ..

Tony Bev · Guru

I would also leave a camp, if a tree/branch fell nearby

There was a topic not so long ago (on this forum) explaining why gum tree branches fall

Below is the link

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t62973062/falling-branches/

Mutley · Senior Member

They do fall.

Do yourselves a favour & Google "eucalypt branch union inclusions" - it may save your life! (ie: helps you understand how to identify an inclusion)

Me personally, I always worry under a eucalypt, even if I can't identify any inclusions in the tree!