Mystery solved: Western Bay of Plenty District Council says sorry over felled Te Puke tree

A February 2010 photo of the tree, which the Hutchinsons said was much bigger when it was felled. Photo / Google Streetview

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has apologised after cutting down a tree without talking to affected residents.

The mature China doll tree outside Chris and Karen Hutchinson's home on Fenton Terrace in Te Puke was cut down on June 15.

Council transportation manager Jim Paterson said although the tree was on council-owned land and not the couple's property, staff still should have talked to the Hutchinsons before having it removed.

"We made an honest mistake."

He said the tree - planted by a former tenant - was identified in a September 2017 urban tree review as a risk to the Hutchinsons' property.

It was healthy and not a risk to road or footpath users, but was damaging the fence and lifting cobbles in their courtyard, Paterson said.

"If a tree is affecting private property the council would normally, as a matter of courtesy, speak to the adjoining property owners to notify of the decision to remove the tree.

"This was not done in this instance. Council apologises for not notifying the landowners."

Paterson said the council's roading engineer would be contacting the Hutchinsons and offering to plant a replacement tree in their garden.

Chris Hutchinson came home from work to find a tree by his fence cut down without warning. Photo / Andrew Warner

Chris Hutchinson said he was happy to hear the apology and meet with the engineer, but he thought the offer to plant a new tree was "pitiful".

Hutchinson said he was troubled by how long it had taken the council to admit it was behind the felling.

He was concerned others might have similar stories, and he hoped they would come forward.