Treasured memento of One Tree Hill for sale

The framed cross-section of the One Tree Hill pine as pictured on the Trade Me Website. Photo / Supplied

A piece of what was once one of Auckland's best-known landmarks is for sale on Trade Me.

The auction of part of a branch from the tree that stood for decades on One Tree Hill has already drawn dozens of comments on the seller's page - as well as bids. Late last night, the bid to beat was $306.

The Bould family, who for years regarded One Tree Hill as the backyard to their home in Greenlane, have decided to sell their bit of Kiwi history.

Matt Bould said his father, John, was there when the tree had to be cut down in October 2000, after activists attacked it with a chainsaw.

John Bould wrote on the auction website: "They flew the tree by chopper to part of the park next to where we live and they chainsawed it up. I asked if I could have a slice as a memento."

The wood was framed by the family and carries the date the tree had to be taken down, October 26, 2000, and the words "One Tree Hill" with a large X through "Tree".

Dozens of comments have already popped up on the auction page, from ideas of what the piece looks like - a rabbit, duck or an upside-down map of Africa - to questions about its authenticity. "How do we know this isn't just a worthless piece of timber from a random tree?" one person asked.

The reply was that the family had proof in the form of an affidavit showing it to be the "genuine article".

Matt Bould said he, like many others in Auckland and throughout the country, had fond memories of One Tree Hill.

"It was always the first landmark driving home back from [holiday in] the Coromandel. It was more like a welcome home sign - our version of the Eiffel Tower."

Mr Bould added: "It's more a sentimental thing for us."

The auction closes on Tuesday.