Soldiers will be honoured despite tree removals

A CAIRN for the RSA is planned to replace ageing pine trees planted in the Waitaki Valley to commemorate the loss of life as Allied troops retreated from Dunkirk in World War 2.

Longserving North Otago Tree Planting Association member Rob Douglas said the ‘‘Dunkirk trees’’ — near the Waitaki Dam Lookout about 7km northwest of Kurow on State Highway 83 — were planted at a time when the association was encouraging planting in an otherwise ‘‘barren’’ part of the region, with the aim of creating something ‘‘like a Bavarian Alps setting’’.

In 1942, the association, in conjunction with Waitaki Boys’ High School, planted a roughly 2.5ha section of trees ‘‘for the soldiers who were killed’’ during the evacuation of Dunkirk two years prior.

‘‘There were guards on the dam, and on their off days they would walk up to the young trees and water them and clear the grass around them.’’

Waitaki Lakes and River Association chairman Ross Andrew said now the trees were at ‘‘the stage where they’ve passed their best, and they’re very, very dangerous’’.

Pines now leaned at up to a 45 degree angle and would be clearfelled this winter with some replant ing carried out in consultation with the association — but it would not be of pinus radiata.

A roughly 1000sq m site would remain dedicated to the soldiers.

‘‘This is historic and we can’t let it go.’’

Mr Douglas said the area would be beautified ‘‘in a thoughtful and considerate way’’ with consultation with the Kurow RSA and members of the public in the valley.

Land Information New Zealand Crown property group manager John Hook said LINZ’s property management contractors were exploring potential options for removing the trees.