Beach trees felled
After withstanding the elements for more than 80 years, the lifespan of a pine tree cluster at Nelson’s Tahunanui Beach has been cut short.
The far Back Beach car park and an area of the Tahunanui Back Beach have been closed since August 29 so a large number of dying trees can be felled and removed.
Nelson City Council Group manager community services Roger Ball said the trees that had died were in the areas that were flooded with saltwater during the storm surge from ex-tropical cyclone Fehi in February. The trees had to be removed for safety reasons, he said.
‘‘It has taken some weeks for the trees to show signs of this root damage by the salt. We’re not aware of any other reason for the death of the trees.’’
Ball said the salt damage from the flood tide had affected other reserves along the coastal edge. Replanting works had been carried out as necessary.
While the pinus radiata trees were being felled, the Back Beach – known as a popular walking and dog exercise area – would be closed to the tide line.
Rings around some of the felled logs trees put the ages at 65-80 years old, while one
Nelmac staff member spoken to by Stuff said they had been approached by people who had picnicked under the trees as children in the 1930s.
A crew of three machinery operators were involved in the operation, from felling of the trees to chipping and mulching of green waste. A number of other Nelmac personnel have been stationed around the work site to keep the area clear from straying dogs or pedestrians.
Project arborist Travis Fisher said while there had been the occasional inquiry as to why the trees were coming down, public interest had been mostly positive since the project got under way.
‘‘It’s been pretty high profile and a lot of people have come over for a look,’’ he said
‘‘There’s different species that cope with it [dieback] better than others – these ones have coped pretty well through the years but there’s been that much of a salt overload lately that we’ve had to come in.’’
Fisher said a group of trees at the southern end of the Back Beach would be left standing to provide protection from erosion and the elements.
It is understood that the area will be replanted following the felling operation.
The council said on its Facebook page that there would be an opportunity for the public to gather firewood once the tree felling had been completed.
The trees had to be removed for safety reasons.
Roger Ball, Nelson City Council