Near misses but trees stay
The future of large oak trees down Tokoroa’s Bridge St is still unclear despite growing safety concerns.
Residents and shop owners have long been divided over whether the trees should be felled due to ongoing issues with leaves blocking gutters and large branches snapping and posing a risk to motorists and pedestrians in the busy street below.
The South Waikato District Council was forced to fell one of the trees, believed to have been planted in 1954, after a storm broke a large branch which then caused significant stress fractures to the rest of the tree.
But assets group manager Ted Anderson said the remaining trees would only be removed if they were in poor health.
‘‘Due to their age, trees within streetscapes become iconic, and an integral part of our town’s or central business district’s historical value,’’ he said.
‘‘The council recognises the value in this but also balances the need to monitor tree assets and carry out appropriate pruning or felling works accordingly.
‘‘If the trees are assessed as healthy they would remain and be maintained until deemed not to be so, or when the Bridge St carriageway and median is due for reassessment.’’
Anderson said removing the trees would come at a minimum cost of about $70,000.
‘‘If a decision was made to replace the oaks a more suitable species would be used, most probably the narrow formed Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata trees recently planted in the Leith Place development,’’ he said.
‘‘These species would see a reduction of the amount of leaf matter each autumn, and still provide autumnal colouring, produce flowers and provide shade during summer months.’’
He said any decision on the future of the trees would be made during the development of the Tokoroa Concept Plan.
‘‘The council has begun work on the Tokoroa Concept Plan which will consider all of these options for Tokoroa’s growth and development,’’ he said.
The oak trees are, however, not the only large trees in public spaces causing concern.
Recent storms also saw several large trees come down at Tokoroa’s Lake Moananui and in Tainui St where two cars were crushed.
Anderson said that was despite the council closely monitoring them.
‘‘Unfortunately heavy rain and wind can combine to cause weight on limbs and the crown and lead to trees toppling. These trees were not showing any obvious signs of poor health prior to the storm event.
‘‘The council’s parks and reserves team is regularly monitoring trees within streets and carrying out assessments with arborists reserves all year round. Trees are constantly being prioritised for pruning and removals, and works programmed in accordingly.
‘‘Unfortunately we have a number of tree species which can be prone to splitting apart as they mature. Council has been working over the last few years to deal with these trees as a priority, including the removal of mature ash trees in Arapuni St, Putaruru, and in Kereru, Arthur and Piopio streets in Tokoroa this financial year.
‘‘Felling of aging pines in the Lake Whakamaru and Dunham Point rural reserves was also carried out this year due to concerns with public safety.’’