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Australia's tallest tree has survived the Tasmanian bushfires, but not without scars.
Standing
at just over 100 metres, Centurion was in the direct line of the
Riveaux Road fire which burnt through thousands of hectares in the Huon
Valley.The fire also extensively damaged the nearby tourist attraction Tahune Airwalk.
Centurion, a Eucalyptus regnans, was measured last year using laser technology and stands 100.5 metres high.
It holds the title of the tallest flowering plant and tallest hardwood tree in the world.
Roads in the area have been closed for weeks, making it hard for authorities to assess the damage, but photos released by Sustainable Timber Tasmania reveal fire damage to the tree's base.
Giving Centurion a fighting chance
Efforts were made to protect Centurion, which sits on the state-owned forestry company's land, including raking and clearing at its base, as well as the removal of ladder fuel and low shrubs.A 20-metre area around the tree was also cleared.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania restored road access near Centurion following the fire and has conducted an initial inspection.
The company said the fire travelled through the wet forest containing Centurion and burnt the base of the tree and the surrounding understorey.
Senior forest officer Chris Bond inspected the tree and will continue to monitor the impacts of the bushfire.
"The tree itself appears to be OK," he said.
"The fire has burnt an opening at its base but it looks like it will be stable."The immediate area surrounding Centurion has not been severely burnt by the bushfire."
Hopes for a 'long and happy life'
Steven Pearce from the Tree Projects, an educational group made up of scientists and photographers, said while fire wasn't necessarily bad for Centurion, seeing the forest burnt was confronting.
"It's hard not to anthropomorphise these trees into a human context when really they're a force of nature," he said."It's kind of sad for the forest the way I like to see it, or how it was.
"It's changed dramatically and dealing with that change is a thing I'm going through."
Mr Pearce said the damage was concerning but it wasn't out of the ordinary for a eucalypt to be burnt.
He said the tree's damage could prevent it growing higher and sustaining the amount of leaves necessary to keep its crown in good health.
"As far as its place in the ecosystem, it's probably going to be more valuable habitat now after the fire," he said.
"I hope it lives a long and happy life."
Mr Pearce called on authorities to provide further information about damage to the state's tall trees.
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