Trees felled to protect public

14 October 2013

Work begins next week on removing around 50 dangerous gum trees from the shores of Lake Te Ko Utu in Cambridge.

Waipa District Council contractors will begin felling the trees on October 21 with the work expected to take two to three weeks. Their removal will leave a 10,000 square metre gap in foliage until replanting on the site begins in earnest next winter.

Council's team leader parks Max Ward said trees began falling without warning at the lake in 2012, at one stage killing a dog being walked. Since then a report commissioned by the Council had shown that a combination of factors including fungal decay, the steepness of the banks, wet weather and shallow rooting systems have made the trees unsafe.

Mr Ward said many of the trees had not been deliberately planted but had self-seeded in the 1940s, particularly from the end of the Albert Street car park to the start of the Sam Lewis track.

Cambridge Tree Trust president Don Willoughby said while it was nearly always a shame to see mature trees go, the Council has no choice but to remove them.

While the trees may look healthy and sturdy, they're not and they simply have to go. They are dangerous and represent a real risk to the public. The lake is such a wonderful asset for Cambridge, used by so many people, that it would be completely irresponsible not to remove them.

Council is working alongside the Tree Trust on a major replanting programme. More than 500 metre-high small trees and plants will be raised by the Trust in its nursery for planting on the site next winter. Mr Willoughby said there would be a mix of native and exotic specimens and that over time, the site would look fantastic.

I don't think it will take too long. There will be plenty of natives like kowhai and flax that attract birds as well as very attractive exotics like maples and camellias.

Mr Ward said work began on the project last month with the removal of 16 high risk trees from the southern bank. In total, the tree removal would cost around $40,000. Some money would be recovered from the commercial sale of the wood, he said.

While the work was in progress, the southern section of the park will be closed to the public along with the Albert Street car park. The northern side of the lake walk would remain open for the duration. Signage would go up at the lake tomorrow [Thursday October 17] advising people of the work.

For further information, Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf Council) 027 5077 599