Landlord regrets ordering pruning of protected pine tree
A Norfolk pine trimmed in an act described as ‘‘eco-terrorism’’ is a protected tree – and the chopped branches will not grow back.
John Visser, who owns the building close to the tree on Christchurch’s Sumner Esplanade, had a shop staffer cut some of the tree’s branches down on Wednesday.
The 84-year-old was concerned they were dangerously close to power lines and was worried for the safety of children who climbed the tree.
Visser said yesterday he was not aware the tree was protected and, if he did, he would never have touched it.
‘‘It was a spur of the moment thing. I thoroughly regret having gone anywhere near the thing.’’
The Christchurch City Council has yet to decide what, if any, action it will take over the incident. Visser said he was worried he might be prosecuted.
‘‘I wish I never touched the bloody thing. I didn’t know it was going to create this hoo-ha. I didn’t know it was a protected tree.’’
Visser lives in the building, which he has owned for 30 years, above the Blackbird Cafe and Bar. He asked one of the cafe’s staff members to climb the tree and chop off the branches.
Visser said it was ‘‘absolute nonsense’’ to suggest he cut the branches to improve his view from above the cafe.
‘‘I don’t benefit from it whatsoever. My outlook is the same as before.’’
Visser has lived in Sumner for 30 years and said he had looked after the tree for 20 years.
‘‘I haven’t cut it down. There is a huge amount of tree left on the top.’’
Blackbird Cafe and Bar owner Navi Singh said the brach cutting affected his business and customers cancelled bookings. ‘‘It’s been a most horrible day.’’ Singh said his business had nothing to do with the tree and the staff member helped Visser after
"I wish I never touched the bloody thing." Landlord John Visser
he finished work.
‘‘We do help him. He’s a very old landlord.’’
Council head of parks Brent Smith confirmed the council owned the tree and it was protected.
An arborist inspected the tree on Thursday and said it was still in good health, but it would take a season to see how the tree responded to the trim.
‘‘The operation has removed a relatively large amount of foliage, which the tree requires to sustain itself. We have to wait to see.’’
Some corrective pruning would have to be done on the cuts left behind, he said.
The removed branches would not grow back. While the tree continued to grow, it would develop new branches higher up in the canopy.
Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board member Darrell Latham earlier labelled the DIY job as ‘‘eco-terrorism’’.
‘‘I know that sounds dramatic, but why would you want to destroy the heritage in such an iconic location? People love the Norfolk pines and at times they do need attention, but there is a process to go through.
‘‘I’m very upset. It’s desecration of the aesthetic environment close to the seaside here in Sumner.’’
* Correction: A story published in yesterday’s The Press incorrectly stated that John Visser owns the Blackbird Cafe and Bar. He owns the building that houses that cafe.