Big Tree Removals Coming

Three large trees are about to be removed before they can fall and damage the land around them.

The first is a large poplar near Huatoki Stream at Mill Road, which will be taken down this Monday (5 December), weather permitting. Mill Road near the stream bridge will be closed from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Monday while the work is under way.

This will be followed by the removal of two macrocarpas on Manukorihi Hill in Waitara. The timing of this is yet to be confirmed, but it will take place before Christmas.

District Arborist Conrad Pattison says erosion is a significant problem at both sites, with the land undermining the trees.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on these trees for a number of years and monitoring their stability,” he says.

“Erosion around the poplar has got to the point where we can’t leave the tree in place – and if it fell, it could damage the road bridge or the stream.

“As for the macrocarpas, one is in a high-profile position but unfortunately the land around it has become too unstable to leave it there. If the tree fell it would take a huge chunk of road reserve with it and could fall onto the road below, so we have to be prudent and remove it safely while we can.

“The second macrocarpa is lower down the access road and has its own erosion issues.”

The road up Manukorihi Hill will be closed when these two trees are removed.

The Council and the Waitara Community Board are considering whether the larger macrocarpas’ wood could be used by a local group as a fundraiser.