Uprooted Boab takes a stand near main street

A very special boab tree got the ride of its life last week after being lifted out of its longstanding home behind the Port Hedland Visitor Centre and moved to a sunnier position in Marapikurrinya Park.

Shifted by the Town of Port Hedland, the tree is now the crowning piece on new landscaping at the park near the town’s main street.

Not much is known about the boab, which has so far managed to go its whole life without being the centre of community attention.

Julie Arif, from the Port Hedland Historic Society, said when she heard the news it was being moved she was surprised it had been considered.

“It just sort of grew without people noticing,” she said.

It is estimated the tree is about 30 years old, the same age as the local visitor centre.

It was the largest of a small collection of boabs growing in and around an old donated viewing platform and a statue of Bill Walsh, across from the Silver Star Cafe.

The boab was excavated from the ground by work crews using water to flush the sand and soil away from its roots before gently being lifted and transported 150m down the road.