A toxicology report has confirmed a number of the iconic Rosewood trees along Warner Street in Port Douglas, which have dramatically declined in health over the past few months, were indeed poisoned.

In a statement today the Douglas Shire Council said laboratory tests found concentrated traces of chemicals called dicamba and metolachlor OXA in samples taken from the leaves of impacted trees.

“These chemicals are found in a variety of common herbicides that can be easily purchased from hardware and agricultural suppliers,” the statement said.

“Council will send the toxicology results to two independent arborists to provide an expert conclusion of the findings and further recommendations.”

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Earlier this year an independent Arborist report found the trees were “likely poisoned” before recommending they be removed for public safety. Plans to remove the trees were postponed, however, when a second independent Arborist report recommended that further maintenance and monitoring may give the trees a chance of survival.

The two initial arborist reports, which presented differing views on what may have occurred, and the toxicology report are available on Council’s website.

“Once an expert analysis of the toxicology results is complete, Council will determine how to conduct further investigation and consider filing a police report to assist with this process,” the Council statement said.

Council crews recently pruned the affected trees to keep the street safe for motorists and pedestrians, with the root zones of trees to be aerated and a broad-spectrum fertiliser applied to improve their health.

“While a number of trees still show signs of life, there is hope for their survival and Council will continue to work with arborists to give the impacted trees the best chance of survival.

“Over the past two years, Council has worked very closely with stakeholders to ensure the beauty of the street was maintained while drainage and footpath improvements were completed.

“We acknowledge how important the avenue of trees is to our community and understand how difficult it has been for people to watch their decline in recent weeks,” the statement said.

Council has committed to replacing any trees required for removal with six-metre-high rosewood trees as part of a landscaping program for the street.