Historic tree may be dead

A large kahikatea tree on Solway Showgrounds, thought to be the historic Dick Seddon tree, appears to be dead.

The Dick Seddon tree was named after former Prime Minster Richard Seddon, who spoke near it at a Liberal Party new year picnic in the 1880s.

The tree is part of a native bush reserve protected by a QEII National Trust covenant.

QEII Wairarapa representative Trevor Thompson said the tree in question had been "dead for ages", but he did not believe it was the Dick Seddon tree.

He said he suspected the water tables beneath the south side of the reserves had changed.

"Big, old trees have a limited ability to adapt to changes, such as too much or too little water."

Greater Wellington nurseries team leader Stan Braaksma also said the most likely reason the tree died was through lack of water.

"Kahikatea will grow where they can wet their feet, and the tree roots can't adjust to changes in the water tables."

He said new growth on some young branches was last burst, the dead wood in the trunk indicated the tree was dead.