Unsafe Tree In Tutanekai Street to Be Removed

ROTORUA 27.08.13:  Rotorua District Council (RDC) is to remove a large Pin Oak tree in Tutanekai Street which has become a safety risk after developing a major split in its trunk.

The tree is one of three located on the eastern side of Tutanekai Street between the Courthouse and Pig and Whistle.

RDC parks and recreation manager Garry Page said the council was always reluctant to remove any tree but had to take action when it became a matter of public safety.

“We’ve sought independent arborist advice to see if the tree could be saved but it appears that any attempt to do so would create more maintenance issues and the health of the tree would continue to decline.

“Any attempt at cable bracing the split stems would only delay the inevitable and some risk would remain in the meantime. So we’ve accepted the experts’ recommendation to remove the tree altogether in the interests of public safety.

“Fortunately there are existing large trees on either side of the Pin Oak being removed, one of which is an iconic Plane tree outside the Pig and Whistle. Neither of these will be affected, so the loss of tree scape will be somewhat minimised. We’ll be replacing the damaged Pin Oak with another tree which in time will grow to fill the void.”

Mr Page said that there were also plans to introduce more trees along the same stretch of Tutanekai Street in the future.

The damaged tree is scheduled for removal on Sunday 1 September, subject to weather conditions at the time.

ENDS

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