Storm-struck trees checked ahead of events
Arborists are checking trees in Christchurch’s Hagley Park following a major storm which caused branches to fall across the region, including one which seriously injured a tourist.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend events at the park this weekend, following the most damaging wind event in the city since 2014.
Eleven trees came down across Christchurch on Wednesday and countless others lost branches during high winds, including one in Rolleston Ave which seriously injured a tourist when it fell on him.
Christchurch City Council head of parks Andrew Rutledge said it would take about a week to clean up the damage.
Council contractor Treetech had 14 crews, each with about six people, working across the city.
The council received more than 200 job requests during 24 hours relating to damaged or downed trees.
Trees came down in Bishopdale, Barrington, Cranmer Square and one in Hagley Park near the Netball Centre. Two other trees in Hagley Park close to Deans Ave were likely to be felled after losing sizeable branches, and another in the Armagh St car park would also be coming down after being on a previous watch list.
Rutledge said many events were happening in Hagley Park this weekend so the council was being ‘‘super cautious’’ and checking trees in the area. ‘‘We are checking the main corridors and thoroughfares that people come through.’’
All of Hagley Park would be completed by the end of today and the event spaces were being prioritised, he said.
Hagley Park will play host to three major events this weekend, including a T20 cricket match between rugby and cricket stars, the Great Kiwi Beer Festival and a polo match.
The pin oak that injured a man in Rolleston Ave on Wednesday was felled yesterday. The 65-year-old tree was assessed by arborists in 2016 and was judged to be in fair condition, with a health ranking of three.
The city’s public trees were assessed at least once every six to seven years, depending on their location. But the pin oak on Rolleston Ave was assessed more regularly because of its close vicinity to a cycleway.