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The future looks grim for a 100-year-old Norfolk pine in Auckland's Herne Bay attacked with a chainsaw, says the Auckland City Council.
The 30m-tall protected tree was left with two deep cuts forming a wedge at its base after an attack this month.
Neighbours spotted two men in high-visibility vests using a chainsaw to cut a wedge in the tree at 29 Marine Parade. The neighbours confronted the pair, who took off in a grey 4WD with a deregistered number plate and chrome bull bars.
The site was the subject of controversy last March when the council gave the go-ahead to demolish a 100-year-old house there, after being told by demolition contractor Alex Burrell that it was built after 1950.
The council officer investigating the attack, Jackie Wilkinson, said a bandage of hessian had been applied to the tree to stop moisture from escaping from the wounds.
"The prognosis is not good, but the tree is still being monitored."
She said the council had received several calls from people with information, including an anonymous tip-off which she was keen to get more details on. She declined to elaborate.
"We would love to talk to them further, if they would call back."
The council has spoken to the owner of the property, developer Chris Cook, who has started building two houses on the $5 million waterfront site. He has denied any knowledge of the chainsaw attack.
Mr Cook's plans for the site include keeping the tree, which is generally protected. It is also protected under a Herne Bay coastal management plan.
* The council is urging people with information about the attack, which happened about 5pm on February 2, to contact it on (09) 379-2020.
