Football-sized pine cones will be removed from the iconic bunya pines in the CBD on Monday.
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The cones can weigh about 5kg and grow at the top of the ancient trees – up to 30-metres high for some of the older specimens in Collins Park.
A crane has been used to assess the trees in the past, but this year the council was able to take advantage of new technology.
“The large pine cones are hidden high within the canopy of the bunya pine trees and we were able to quickly assess them with a drone earlier this week,” council’s parks operations supervisor David Stapleton said.
“The bunya pine cones can pose a safety risk to park users if they were left on the trees.
“The size and weight of the cones, combined with the height they can fall from, means there is potential for significant injury.
The pine cones will be removed from 12 bunya pines across Collins Park and the Esplanade. Access to parts of the area will be restricted.