This suburban park in Adelaide's north-east used to resemble a small forest, filled with hundreds of well-established pine trees.
But due to an infestation of an exotic pest, known as Giant Pine Scale, close to 500 trees have had to be felled in a bid to stop the insects from spreading.
SA's Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) said, if established, Giant Pine Scale poses a threat to the state's $1.4 billion forest industry and Australia's softwood plantation industry.
It is the first time the pest, which can also be found in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, has been seen in South Australia since 2018.
The latest infestation in South Australia is at a reserve in Highbury and another two locations in Hope Valley.
While the reserve is maintained by the Tea Tree Gully Council, it is on state government-owned land, and the felling of the trees has been undertaken by PIRSA's biosecurity team.
Tea Tree Gully Mayor Marijka Ryan told ABC Radio Adelaide the council had no choice but to allow the trees to be cut down.
"We are as devastated as the rest of the community to see the trees cut down," she said.
"It's totally changed the landscape and we can do nothing ... we need to eradicate the pest otherwise it will spread and it spreads very quickly."
So what is Giant Pine Scale?
According to PIRSA, Giant Pine Scale is an insect that sucks the sap of pine trees, causing branch dieback, gradual desiccation and tree death.
The insect produces "distinctive white, cotton-like wax secretion, and the adult scale insect can grow up to 12 millimetres long".
It feeds exclusively on plants from the pine family, such as pines, firs and spruces.
Where did it come from?
It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, specifically Greece and Turkey.
It was first detected in Australia in 2014 and has only ever been found in Victoria and South Australia.
In Victoria, more than 4,000 trees have been infested with the pest, meaning eradication is not possible.
"Due to unsuccessful eradication in Melbourne, it is now regarded as an established pest in Australia," a PIRSA spokesperson said.
"Limiting the spread and managing the impact of GPS in Victoria will now be the focus," the PIRSA website says.
How does it spread?
The insect is most likely spread by people.
"The spread of the pest is often caused by human contact, particularly by the pest sticking onto shoes, clothing or equipment," the spokesperson said.
"The public can play an important role in preventing further spread.
"The response team is asking anyone with pines, firs or spruces to check their trees, particularly on the trunks and branches."
Did the trees have to be cut?
Yes. While the loss of so many trees in a short amount of time has come as a shock to the community, PIRSA said it had no other choice.
To date 483 trees have been removed at three locations in Highbury and Hope Valley.
"The response [team's] priority has been to protect the thousands of potentially affected trees in streets, parks, and gardens through the urgent removal of infested trees and reducing the risk of further spread of the pest," the spokesperson said.
"Previous GPS outbreaks at Dernancourt and North Adelaide in 2014 and Highbury in 2018 were successfully controlled using the same approach.
"Removal of affected trees remains the best known option for eliminating Giant Pine Scale, regarded as the quickest and most effective eradication method against the pest."
PIRSA said the response team was working on mitigating any risks to native wildlife during the eradication operation.
So, what happens now?
The reserve in Adelaide, which features a BMX track, will be closed to the public until early 2024.
Once it is reopened, the council said it hopes it will be able to replant trees in the area.
"A revegetation plan for Elliston Reserve will be developed for the council's future consideration, with a proposal to seek external grant funding support," the council said in a statement.
The council said the felled trees from the reserve will soon be transported across the road to the Hope Valley Reservoir for containment.
PIRSA said the felled tree material will be processed into landscaping grade product before being quarantined for six months.
"Future use of this product will be oriented around assisting the upcoming remedial works, which includes the establishment of replacement local indigenous tree plantings, on the affected reserve areas," PIRSA said.