Axe hovers over landmark trees

Few things in Kerikeri can match the redwood trees - including these alongside Kerikeri Retirement Village - for the strength of feelings they arouse. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The axe is once again poised over Kerikeri's landmark redwood trees - but this time it's the council's insurers who are sharpening the blade.

The trees were planted in two stands as shelter belts about 80 years ago. They dominate the town's skyline and are loved by some residents, but reviled by others. The Kerikeri Retirement Village has been campaigning to have them removed since a branch crashed through a bedroom there in the 2007 storms. The issue was re-ignited when a July storm blew down a tree. Fortunately it fell within the stand and not on to houses.

Feelings run so high about the trees that last time any were cut down a local was arrested for ramming a contractor's car.

Last February the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board voted to retain the redwoods. It was agreed they would be inspected annually by two arborists, one hired by the council, the other by the village, and any weak or diseased trees removed.

Now, however, due to contradictory arborists' reports, the Far North District Council has been advised it might not be covered by insurance if a falling redwood damaged property or caused injury. That would leave ratepayers to carry the cost.

The issue sparked lively debate at last week's council meeting with Cr Ann Court arguing that felling the trees on the back of an inconclusive report would put "every tree in the district on a slippery slope".

Both reports found the trees were healthy and in no imminent danger of falling. However, one report said there was no guarantee the redwoods would not blow down if another big storm hit, so concluded they should all be removed.

Cr Court said no arborist on earth could guarantee a tree would never fail in 100km/h winds.

"If we follow this to its logical conclusion we will have to cut down every tree in every reserve in the Far North district in case they fall down. This would set a precedent and not just for Kerikeri."

Cr Court said she sympathised with the retirement village, which had to put up with the debris and lack of winter sun, but the council also had to consider the Hawking Crescent residents who had campaigned to keep the trees.

The redwood debate reminded her of how her daughter, then aged 4, had fallen out of a tree at her playcentre and broken her arm.

"What happened next was that they cut down the tree. To me, commonsense departed the earth that day - and now we have a report saying the gates of hell will open if we don't listen to our insurers."

Mayor John Carter put a motion to defer the vote and seek written advice from the council's insurer and its lawyers.

Only Cr Di Maxwell voted against, saying the council already had enough information and should act now.