Puzzle a cut above

Bushfire experts and foresters are stumped about how a shovel ended up embedded in a karri tree 20m off the ground.

Bushfire Front chairman Roger Underwood and forester John Evans are seeking information about how a long-handled, flat-mouthed shovel found its home in a tree in the forests around Manjimup.

“Close inspection of the tree did not reveal any indication that the tree had been climbed using climbing irons, pegs or ladders, nor are there any signs of disturbance at the foot of the tree as if a crane or hydraulic lift had been used to get the shovel-installer up there,” Mr Underwood said.

“The tree is about 25 metres from the road in dense bush and the embedded shovel was spotted only by chance.”

The shovel was found by bushfire scientists who were conducting a bushfire inspecting in a forest west of Manjimup.

Email Mr Underwood on yorkgum@westnet.com.au if you have any information.