He said it regularly dropped big branches on people walking underneath it and swayed when it was windy.
He also said today “could’ve gone a lot worse”, given the elderly population of the street and the constant stream of mobility scooters up and down the road.
Another neighbour, who also wished to stay anonymous, said her elderly mother watched the tree fall.
“She said it didn’t even crack, it just fell with a big thud and a bang.”
She wrote to Auckland Council only last week to urge it to check the tree’s rotten roots, but it refused due to the fact the tree “wasn’t on council property”.
She said the neighbours referred to the tree as the “widow maker” and this was like their biggest fear coming true.
Meanwhile, all lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge have reopened following a two-hour lunchtime reduction due to high winds.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) earlier said two lanes were open in each direction due to severe wind gusts.
SH1 AKL HBR BRIDGE - UPDATE 1:25PM The Harbour Bridge is currently in 4x4 lane layout due to strong wind gusts. Please obey speed signs & maintain a safe following distance. Lane reductions may be required. Caution advised, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles. ^JF https://t.co/GFjE8vQno0
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) October 7, 2024
NZTA also warned motorcyclists and motorists in high-sided vehicles to delay their journeys across the bridge.
“Lanes will reopen ASAP, subject to gusts becoming less severe,” NZTA said.