The Goulburn man took up his concerns with Wollondilly Public School more than six months ago but he said nothing had happened.

On his daily walks he had noticed the branch of a large willow tree on the school’s Newton St perimeter was progressively leaning. Six months ago, growth was blocking the footpath and a section of road.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council cleared the overgrowth following his representations but pointed out the tree was the school’s responsibility, given it was growing in its grounds.

“Hollow rot is now visible at the base of the tree trunk and one of its branches now leans on the school fence,” Mr McDonald recently wrote to school principal Susan Bradley.

“You can hear the fence straining from the tree swaying on a windy day. This will worsen with spring growth imminent by adding extra weight to the already strong lean on the tree.

“It is only a matter of time before the tree will fall down – my guess is any time between now and Christmas.”

He said 12 months ago the branch was near vertical but had since tipped about 45 degrees.

Mr McDonald told the Post he would feel guilty if he kept quiet and a child was hurt or killed.

Just three hours after bringing the matter to the school’s attention last February, eight-year-old Bridget Wright died when a large limb from a gum tree at Pitt Town Public School fell on her.

The tragedy sparked a tree audit in NSW Public Schools and Wollondilly was just one of the local institutions inspected.

“I thought this tragedy and your response would have seen appropriate action to address this issue but apparently not,” Mr McDonald wrote in his letter.

“The tree will not get better and I hope you will now arrange prompt action for its cutting down and removal.”

A Department of Education spokesman said an arborist with level five qualifications in arboriculture inspected the trees at Wollondilly Public School and completed a report last June.

“The arborist report did not recommend the removal of the tree in question,” he said.

“However it was identified for ongoing monitoring. It was not identified as posing an unacceptable safety risk because of its location and condition.

“The school and the Department will continue to monitor the tree and consider further action if required.”