It’s been more than six months since the 45-metre, 400-year-old blackbutt was removed as part of black spot funding to widen Gerroa Road at the intersection with Beach Road.

Late as last month the Register reported the base of the Bum Tree remained at council’s Bomaderry works depot, with a final decision on its future yet to be made.

Council’s assets and works director Ben Stewart said nothing has been decided on the fate of the base.

“It is a matter that has to be taken to council and I will present it next time we have a full gathering of council,” Mr Stewart said.

The Bum Tree’s famous bum shaped bulge is what is known as a burl.

Woodworkers prize burls, which tend to cluster near the base of a tree but can appear further up the trunk, for their swirling grain patterns, particularly the circular shapes called “eyes”. 

Craftsmen turn the burls into furniture, bowls, clocks and knickknacks.

Shoalhaven Woodcraft Society president Greg Clark said blackbutt was traditionally a construction wood.

“It is a hardwood but could be milled and then stored for use but you also need to let it season and that can take up to a year per inch of thickness,” he said.