End of an icon
Removal of historic tree cuts deep for Pirongia community
A tree described as “an icon of Pirongia” is being felled, leaving a trail of outrage from residents and arborists.
The 40-metre American tulip tree on the corner of Franklin and Belcher St is being cut down branch by branch.
But arborists are up in arms and say the tree could have been saved.
The tree has been admired by residents and arborists for the last 130 years. It arrived on a ship from America in the late 1800s and was planted at the house of prominent Waipa¯ man Jean (John) Aubin.
Arborists say the tree is one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
The tree had been on council’s protected trees list for more than 20 years but was removed in March this year due to safety concerns. Once a tree is removed from the list, property owners have full authority over the tree.
The owner has contracted tree-removal company Treescape to cut down the tree at a cost of $17,520, which council is paying half of.
Council says the owner was aware of the tree’s protected status before moving onto the property. The property owner declined to comment.
Waipa¯ District Council community facilities manager Bruce Airey says concerns were raised with the tree’s safety last year.
Council commissioned a report on the tree by independent qualified arborist Paul Kenny in September 2017.
Paul had been monitoring the tree annually since 2006.
In his last report he observed the areas of dieback he had been monitoring did not yet have significant impact.
He also found the decreased annual trunk diameter growth would need to be investigated further if a pattern of reduced growth rates developed.
Paul recommended pruning work be carried out.
“None of my recommendations were to remove the tree,” he told the Waipa¯ Post.
But in March this year, the property owner commissioned a further report by consultant arborist Geoarb.
The report showed the tree’s health had rapidly declined and it posed “an imminent hazard to life and property”.
It said the vascular system of the tree was diminishing, bacterial/fungal infection was present and the canopy was sparse in areas with chlorotic leaves.
The report was reviewed and verified by council’s arborists and the tree’s protection was removed.
But two independent arboriculture companies are calling nonsense on Geoarb’s report and say the tree could have been saved.
Craig and Talia Wilson, owners of Wilson Trees & Landscaping, say the tree is “outstanding”.
“It’s the best form of that species,” Craig says.
“The whole crown looks really healthy and has been reported to be in good health in Paul’s annual reports.”
“Why did Waipa¯ District Council not seek a third opinion? Why was Geoarb’s report given precedence over Paul’s 12 years of reporting on the tree?”
Craig says the tree is admired by arborists all around the world.
“As arborists we love trees and do as much as we can to protect them.”
He says alternative options about saving the tree should have been discussed.
Talia says protection of heritage trees needs to be taken more seriously.
“What’s the point in having a protection order if they’re so easy to remove. It’s getting to the point of ridiculousness.”
She says the removal of Pirongia’s tulip tree highlights a national attitude towards trees.
“We pretend we are a green tree-loving country but that’s not the case.
“Trees don’t have voices — we need to be advocates for them.”
Talia says it is now too late to save the tree.
“Our hope is that this is a turning point in the attitudes of the council and the owner.
“We hope something will be learned from this situation and that more protection is placed on our heritage trees.”
Noel Galloway, owner of arboriculture business Pristine Arb, says he wants peace of mind as to why the tree is coming down.
“I’m not a tree-hugger or anything, but for some reason this one has really hit home.”
Noel says arborists are often trapped in ethical dilemmas when they have to fell a tree they believe could be saved.
“Apparently some of the guys who are on the job couldn’t sleep last night.”
When Waipa¯ Post visited the site of the tree last week it appeared a worker was distressed about removing it.
“We think it’s a pretty nice tree. We’re not happy about removing it, but we’ve got to do our job,” one Treescape employee said.
It is believed a Treescape employee pulled out of the team tasked with the job.
Treescape refused to comment.
But a woman who grew up with the tree wasn’t fazed about its removal.
Robin Wood (nee Bell) is the great-granddaughter of John Aubin, who planted the tree.
Robin now lives in Te Awamutu but grew up in the homestead at 661 Franklin St where the tree was planted.
She said she had no sentimental connection to the tree.
“Trees don’t live forever and are very hard to save. You’ve got to be a realist about it.”