'Heartbreaking' vandalism damages 19 trees planted for community

Monday, 25 December 2023

Roger Jones said he was heartbroken when he saw the damage to 19 trees that he and other volunteers have spent countless hours tending.

When Richmond man Roger Jones arrived at a Nelson reserve to water the trees he lovingly planted and tends, his heart sank.

Nineteen trees had been run over by two people on quad bikes along the Railway Reserve in Hope on Tuesday night.

“I was devastated, I nearly cried when I saw it. It was so heartbreaking,” Jones told Stuff.

“Four metre high trees, just snapped off.”

Jones began transforming the area 18 months ago, following his vision to turn an empty patch of land into an edible walkway.

It hasn’t been an easy process. He had to jump through multiple hoops to get approval from local authorities, involving lengthy talks with Network Tasman and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

He’s proven a dab hand at securing the help of three friends and numerous nurseries and other businesses, and has been donated trees, plants, viticulture posts, water and time.

The 74-year-old got planting this winter, using a donated excavator to make holes in the ground through the hard gravel and putting in the first 40 trees.

Every week, he spends hours filling up a 1000 litre tank with a small pump at a local creek and nourishing the 174 plants and 119 trees that have been planted so far.

Jones thinks he may be able to save 11 of the eucryphia nymansay trees, evergreens native to Tasmania. Eight, however, have been broken off at ground level.

Two traffic signs were also knocked over in the incident.

This is the second time the trees have been attacked. On September, 12 fruit trees were run over, though Jones managed to bring those specimens back to life.

He’s hopeful the perpetrators will be brought to justice, as there was a witness on the scene at 10pm on Tuesday night, and he has been in contact with the police.

Now, Jones would like the help of the community to help look after the trees and to keep planting.

The stretch, which forms part of the Great Taste Trail, is well-used by locals. A camera previously installed on the spot measured 1000 people passing by in just two days, either on foot or by bike.

With apple, pear, peach, nectarine, apricot, plum, feijoa and figs planted, the trees are a gift that will keep on giving, as well as providing much needed shade.

“We just wanted to give people something to be proud of in the community,” Jones said.

A Givealittle page set up by Jones’ granddaughter is currently fundraising for the project. Jones asks anyone who would genuinely like to help to call him on 0211671019.