Trees damage water mains

15 September 2014 Four liquid amber trees on Dick Street in Cambridge must be removed because their roots are damaging water pipes as well as the surface of the road.

Waipa District Council contractors will remove the trees next week. Neighbours have been advised and the Cambridge Tree Trust has been consulted.

Parks and reserves team leader Max Ward said the council has no record of the trees being planted and does not know who planted them. He estimates they are around 20 years old.

They've actually been planted on the road corridor, not on the berm. And because of that they are damanging the water pipes and the road surface. It's a shame to see them go but we really have no choice. They're the wrong types of trees, planted in the wrong place.

Specialist contractors are expected to take just one day to remove the trees. Repairs to the pipes and road surface will follow immediately.

There will certainly be some disruption but if the weather is good, hopefully the work will be done quite quickly.

The removed trees will be mulched and the mulch used on recently planted trees on the town belt.

ENDS

Media enquiries to Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of Council) 027 5077 599