STAFF REPORTER

Thousands of Marri trees throughout WA’s Southwest are dying or already dead from a devastating form of tree cancer, known as Marri canker.

Murdoch University researchers Giles Hardy and George Matusick today said the The Marri canker epidemic was threatening more than 80 per cent of all Marri trees along Caves Road and the Bussell Highway.

“Marri is an iconic tree species in Western Australia but this cancer is destroying them and therefore the character and beauty of our famous Margaret River wine region is suffering,” Professor Hardy said.

“Currently the Marri canker is not completely understood and there are no known solutions.

“We are running out of time to find them.”

Professor Hardy said the deaths were hitting biodiversity hard.

For example, the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo relies on the Marri’s large fruit, known as honky nuts, for food.

“Collapsing trees with falling branches pose a significant hazard for pedestrians and drivers,” he added.

“It is very costly to remove these dead trees and repair the damage they do to fences and powerlines.

“But the cost to the tourism industry in the region could be even more devastating.”

Professor Hardy and Dr Matusick have also found that 17,000 hectares of of Jarrah forest from the Perth Hills to Collie have suddenly collapsed and died after drought. Wandoo, Tuart and WA Peppermint have also shown severe recent declines, with some of the dead trees estimated to be at least 150 years old.

“The collapse follows one of the hottest and driest summers on record and years of climate change,” Dr Matusick said.

“All the climate change models point to an even drier and hotter climate for southwest WA so it’s vitally important that we do something now to protect what is an iconic and vitally important habitat for native species of flora and fauna.

“These trees are the lungs of the Southwest.

“They provide us with our clean, fresh air, they provide habitat for our flora and fauna and Western Australians have a huge emotional tie to their native forests.”