Funeral for a friend of the city

By PATRICK GOWER and BERNARD ORSMAN

It was their last chance to say goodbye to an old, familiar friend. Last night hundreds of Aucklanders grabbed the opportunity in a spontaneous farewell to the landmark pine on top of One Tree Hill.

The Monterey pine, mortally wounded by chainsaw attacks in 1994 and 1999, is to be removed, branch by branch, from 9 am today after a ceremony starting at dawn.

Crowds walked to the summit last night to pay their respects and sever ties that had grown with the tree across many generations.

Many left wreaths of white lilies as a tribute to the landmark.

Most were wrapped in rugs as they began a lonely vigil until the tree's removal at dawn.

Gayle Davy has been able to see the tree from every house she has lived in since she was born in Auckland more than 60 years ago.

"I have lived all my life and this tree has just always been there, and now it is gone."

For James Spittle of Pakuranga, the tree held memories of good times with his mates.

"The irony here is that hundreds of trees are chopped down every day, but hundreds have come to watch this one die.

"It shows the special meaning this tree has for so many."

John Stephens, of Royal Oak, who has spent more than 25 years near the tree, was saddened that its shadow would not be cast today.

"I had hoped our two sons who are overseas would have been home before it went. This tree just holds so many memories for us ... "

As both cameras and cigarettes flickered in the background, one group strummed a guitar and sang the Bob Dylan standard Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

Rachel Steed, of Dargaville, had brought her two children, 3-year-old Catherine and Sammy, aged 5 months, "just so they could be part of it."

Others were angry that the tree had to go because of repeated attacks by Maori activists.

"I'm just appalled at what happened to that little tree," said Patricia Robinson, of Onehunga.

"No matter what they put in its place, it will never be the same.

"When I go away, I come back and see that tree and know that I'm home. It is Auckland."

One person had wanted last night to place a death notice in the Herald to recognise its last day.

Weather permitting, a heavy-lift helicopter will start removing the gnarled branches of the canopy at 9 am. By mid-afternoon, the trunk should have been cut into several sections by a private contractor.

Cameron Parr, the Auckland City Council parks officer overseeing the project, said a risk assessment on Tuesday confirmed it was "absolutely critical" that the tree come down today. Its only support is steel cables that can be heard humming from the tension they are under. Winds of up to hurricane strength in the past month have created a split in the trunk and caused it to lean a further 16 degrees.

Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher said the public held the landmark in deep affection and its removal would be a sad moment.

People wanting to see the tree being removed can watch from the archery range site on the southern side of Cornwall Park. A no-fly zone over the park is in place to prevent helicopter passengers watching the spectacle from the air.

A group from Ngati Whatua were to sing a karakia at 4.30 am to bless the tree. The steel cage fitted around the base of the trunk to protect it from vandals will then be removed so a worker with a chainsaw can begin cutting branches for the helicopter to move to a nearby site in the park. More than 1000 tyres have been placed under the tree to protect archaeologically important kumara pits from damage by any falling branches.

Ngati Whatua will use part of the wood for carving and a section will go on display at the Cornwall Park visitor centre. The council will seek resource consent to replace the pine, which could take several years.

Experts have considered the extreme weather on the summit of One Tree Hill and cultural and historical considerations and come up with four possible replacements: totara, pohutukawa, pine and puriri.

Send us your suggestions

Should we replace the tree on One Tree Hill?

E-mail Bernard Orsman