Facing the chop: 'Rare' native tree might be chopped down to build bus shelter

Friday, 6 October 2017

Mangere Bridge residents say the tree has never been a problem.

A 'rare' yellow pohutukawa tree in south Auckland might meet its end to make way for a bus shelter.

Residents of Mangere Bridge have spoken up to save the tree around which they 'played as kids'.

The yellow pohutukawa tree in full bloom.

Opposing Auckland Transport's decision to fell the tree, Maria Mortimer says this tree has been here 'for as long as I can remember'.

Mortimer has been a local resident for almost 50 years.

A yellow pohutukawa tree in Mangere Bridge might be chopped down to make way for a bus shelter.

'They're going to cut down a tree, to put up a bus stop, where they put pictures of trees to enhance the area. Rather than cutting a tree, why don't they move the bus stop?' she says.

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The yellow pohutukawa might be chopped to make way for a bus shelter.

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*Volunteers helping to grow native forest alongside Waikato River**

This is a very rare tree, according to The Tree Council.

Over the years, she recalls, there has been maintenance work for the power lines, but it never seemed to have been a problem.

'It's the only big tree left. I don't see why it has to go. It seems easy to move the bus stop.'

Another resident Roz Cattell says the tree is healthy.

'We are told that native trees are protected in this country. How does this happen?' she says.

'We understand that it's private property and we appreciate that, but how is the tree affecting a bus shelter? You cannot replace the tree.'

Dr Mels Barton, secretary of The Tree Council, a non-profit organisation, says this tree should have 'special protection'.

'We have succeeded in getting a stay of execution. Council needs to wake up [and know] that the community cares about trees,' she says.

Barton is trying to schedule a meeting with an AT representative next week.

'This is a very rare tree. There is only a handful in Auckland. The bus shelter can be anywhere on that street, there's no need to take down a rare tree.'

A spokesperson for Auckland Transport provided the following statement: 'The tree is not a scheduled tree and is growing on private property – the owner wants the tree removed. It is not in the best condition and is growing up into the power lines and the roots into the footpath. One branch would also overhang the shelter and could, during heavy winds, break and land on the roof of the shelter. The experts at Greenscene NZ say the tree is not a quality specimen due to its structural formation and previous canopy reduction. We are liaising with Council arborists to get their opinion on the pohutukawa tree.'