Ask Phoebe: Gallipoli pine loses battle with fungus

The Gallipoli pine was planted in April 1956. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

The large pine tree in front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum appears to be dying. Is this not the famous tree grown from a pinecone brought back from Lone Pine Ridge at Gallipoli? Is the tree really dead, and if so, why? Phyllis Byrnes, Devonport.

Alas, the tree has perished. The so-called Gallipoli pine has succumbed to a fungus in the soil, tree experts believe. It had been in decline for the last four years or so.

And although the tree was planted to commemorate the Anzac troops who perished on the Turkish peninsula in 1915, it didn't hit the ground until much later.

It was planted by Lieutenant Colonel Cyril Bassett VC on Anzac Day, April 25, 1956.

When it appeared that the disease was terminal, a replacement was organised. It's an Aleppo pine, raised from the seed of a tree on one of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

At some traffic light-controlled intersections, in the centre, there is on occasion a "No U-turn" sign, with a picture of a U with a diagonal line through it. At other similar intersections there is no sign. Does this mean that you can do a U-turn at these intersections? Barrie Barnes, North Shore.

It would seem so, though I'm open to correction here.

The Road Code says you may not make a U-turn if such a sign is displayed.

In other circumstances, you may, as long as the road is clear in both directions and it is safe to do so, and as long as you don't create a hazard for oncoming vehicles.

I am a school bus driver. Can you advise me please on the correct use of the "School Bus" signs? Once the children alight at the school, should these signs be taken off the front and rear of the bus? Is it illegal to leave these signs on display when the vehicle is not in
service as a school bus? Michael Glynn, Waiheke Island.

Yes it is. The people at NZ Bus, which runs services in Auckland and elsewhere, tell me that you must display such signs when the bus is in service as a school bus and that the signs must be put away when you've finished the school run.

This is because legally you can drive past a stationary school bus at only 20km/h. A motor vehicle driver can pass an ordinary bus at the specified speed of whatever area you are in. Legally, you can display the signs only from the start of the school run until you've dropped the kids at the school. You must then remove them.