A treelopper was left stumped when two Closeburn residents argued a historic macadamia tree shouldn’t be trimmed from beneath power lines – because electro magnetic fields help the plant bear good nuts.

Peter Ravenscroft and John Dique are disappointed a tree near their Aberfeldy Road home, believed to be between 70 and 80 years old, was recently cut short by an Energex contractor.

Mr Ravenscroft said the macadamia, one of two remaining trees on the former farmhouse property, had been looked after for decades, with a hand-painted sign signifying its importance.

“We have been trying to get trees growing along what is a hot road for 20 years plus and I was watering trees to keep them alive when I heard the saws and the muncher going,” Mr Ravenscroft said.

“I was concerned and blew my stack because I thought they had over-trimmed. Also they were going down the road taking fairly enthusiastic chunks off other trees such as a huge fig on a neighbour’s land.”

Mr Dique said the Energex contractor was “quite quizzical” when told why the macadamia tree shouldn’t be trimmed.

“I told him he should slightly move the power line to the side of the tree so it’s still within a close distance of the tree, or raise the power line a bit higher so the tree can continue to grow upwards,” Mr Dique said.

“After some discussion the tree was lopped to about a bit under two-thirds of its original height, so it’s lost a lot of its productive growth.

“It occurred to me we could look at this situation a hell of a lot better.

“If the power lines were a bit higher we could grow trees underneath, but Energex doesn’t really understand these things until you explain things to them.

“I think it’s something that should be discussed a lot more because trees take a long time to grow and they come down in a few seconds.

“I can understand the logic in their reasoning – they want to move trees before the storm season – but it’s all out about compromise.”

Mr Ravenscroft said soon after the incident Energex offered to place the macadamia on its register of significant trees.

“Energex cannot be faulted in their response, which was always courteous and helpful,” Mr Ravenscroft said.

“The only one who was rude was me … and I have apologised for blowing my stack at the crew.”

Mr Ravenscroft, a geologist who has his own orchard, believes there is truth in the theory that electro magnetic fields could enhance a plant’s growth.

He said overhead currents could be a reason why the besieged macadamia tree has better nuts and seed stock than his own trees.

“There was detailed research with major field trials in the 1920s regarding the effects of current on crops, and it was found to have some result, but not enough to be economic,” he said.

“I and others eat off that (macadamia) tree steadily. I have about 50 of my own now, but they are nowhere near as good.

“I can see no other reason why that old tree is so productive relative to all the rest nearby.”

Mr Dique added: “human beings should not be parked under high voltage power lines, but certainly orchards should be.”