Safety of church grounds' historic tree questioned

LIABILITY? In 2011, a branch from the heritage Samuel Oates gum tree fell on to State Highway 2. PHOTO/ADELE PENTONY GRAHAM A - WTA040211APGGUM.

There is concern over the safety of the historic Samuel Oates gum tree in the grounds of St Luke's Church, Greytown.

Kevin Boerman, a member of the St Luke's vestry, said the future of the tree was "up in the air."

"We are concerned about it being a liability, the safety of it."

Mr Boerman said the vestry is looking into carrying out an aborist report to find out how safe the tree is but will need to find funding.

"Nothing major has happened, the last wind storm rattled the branches though.

"We don't want to do any harm to the tree but we don't want it to kill anyone."

A candidate for Greytown Community Board, Frank Minehan, said a few years ago a branch had fallen from the gum tree while he was at a meeting nearby.

"There was an almighty crash and a gigantic branch of the gum tree came crashing down onto the road.

"No vehicle was passing at the time so miraculously no one was injured."

As the tree is not on South Wairarapa District Council grounds, the council does not maintain the tree.

Council amenities manager Helen McNaught was aware of the vestry's concerns.

"I'm happy to talk to the church about what we can do to help."

Mr Minehan was also concerned about the safety of Farley's Oak, another heritage tree with "notable tree" registration.

In autumn the 150-year-old tree was to be felled but the council opted to monitor and maintain the tree, with annual aborist reports.

Mr Minehan said the report didn't ask the right question and focused on amenity values.

"The key question is missing; is Farley's Oak a public danger?

"Please don't get me wrong, I do want this heritage tree maintained to a safe and healthy state if at all possible but not if it is dangerous."

Mrs McNaught said the tree was safe in its current condition despite rotting in the roots and fungal disease. "It's as big below as is it above ground."

She said the latest update from City Care, who is contracted to look after the tree, was positive.

"They were happy about the way it was launching into spring."

"It has a fungal disease which potentially could kill it but not necessarily, oak trees do survive this."

The arborist's report found a "reasonable amount of root rot, however the roots were still fibrous."

If the root system did fail, the weight distribution of the canopy would topple the tree away from buildings towards the car parking area and power lines.

The council is currently putting a resource consent application together for the felling of the tree, said Mrs McNaught.

To be felled, it would have to meet certain criteria.

"It will go out for public consultation because there are such strong feelings on the tree."

Mrs McNaught said it was a sensitive issue for Greytown. The cost of maintaining the tree was included in the City Care contract but the annual aborist report was the main cost.

"I doubt we spend more than a $1000 a year on it, perhaps a few hundred."