Request to remove silver birch

Twenty-six members of the Gore Croquet Club have signed a letter asking the Gore District Council to remove a tree from its grounds because it is making some members sick.

But the council says the silver birch doesn’t meet the criteria to be cut down.

The club sent a letter to Gore district mayor Tracy Hicks in October, stating that at a recent meeting it was bought to their attention how many members were affected by the tree, which is very close to their club house.

‘‘One of our life members said she knows by the time she arrives home tonight her eyes will be watering, and she will also have trouble breathing. This is one of only about six members who said they have the same problem,’’ the letter says. ‘‘We do love our grounds, and get great comments from visiting clubs, but when it comes to health problems, we feel we need to see if there is any way around the problem. Apparently birch trees are one of the worst offenders with people with allergies. Also, we are already getting catkins sticking to the newly painted roof.’’

The letter was signed by club secretary Anne Mitchell, vice president Helen Williams and 24 other members of the club.

When contacted, Williams said she did not wish to comment until after Tuesday night’s meeting.

The letter will be tabled with a report from the council’s chief executive Steve Parry at a council meeting on Tuesday night, which recommends the council endorse the council refuse the request to remove the tree.

In the report, Parry says the

‘‘Apparently birch trees are one of the worst offenders with people with allergies. Also, we are already getting catkins sticking to the newly painted roof.’’ Gore Croquet Club letter

club’s request was referred to the council’s parks and recreation manager, Ian Soper, for consideration in accordance with the council’s approved District Tree Policy.

Soper’s report, which will also be tabled at the meeting, says is not convinced that there is a justifiable reason for removing the tree.

The tree had been inspected and was found it to be in good health.

‘‘Staff accept that birch pollen can be problematic but note that any action to remove the tree cannot be reactive to someone’s ‘‘suspicion’’ but needs to be well-founded and evidence-based. Should, for instance, the Southland Medical Officer of Health and other health professionals present information and a medical opinion rather than a public suspicion of an underlying health issue caused by this specific tree, we would happily review our current position.

‘‘We also note there are numerous sources of pollens in the community, most notable are grasses for which a lot of people suffer hayfever on a daily basis.

The council removed 16 silver birch trees in Joseph St, but Soper’s report says that did not set a precedent.