HNZ - Unnecessary cutting down of Pohutukawa trees - July update

David from Cannons Creek

An update on the Pohutakawa trees . Refer initial June link
www.neighbourly.co.nz...

Sadly, this morning the contractors arrived to start work on cutting down the Pohutakawa's on atleast 2 HNZ properties -they will be finished within 2 days - mostly likely today going by the speed the contractors are working at.  


HNZ have ignored any suggestions/options to retain the trees. I believe the solution would be to (for the trees within the yards).. thin out and cut down the trees half way - which solves the problem of hazards to the house, allows sunlight into the yard  and also improves visibility  towards the public footpath -while still avoiding removing the trees completely.

Of course, future maintenance will be required as with any aspect of the properties - but HNZ have opted to remove the trees to avoid future maintenance costs (how can residents argue with that point I wonder?)at the expense of the trees and the benefits they provide both aesthetically and practically.

Speaking to the contractors they advised HNZ had 2 choices - to thin out/trim down the trees or cut them down completely - HNZ opted to remove them completely.

According to their response below they wont do this and have opted to cut down the trees completely simply to avoid ongoing costs to maintain the trees and i disagree with erosion not occurring but regardless these trees have been unmaintained for atleast 20 years - which has allowed them to grow to this height. So maintenance on the trees would be minimal compared to work required on other aspects of the tenancy. From what I've seen this morning  the contractors have cut down the trees outside the fence line on the bank (still on HNZ property) sloping towards the public footpath where erosion will occur the most.

This is the response received from HNZ in reply to my initial query in June about the trees ..

HNZ have advised they are going to be removing in full the trees within Housing NZ boundary line however we will not be completing any work to the trees that fall outside of the boundary line.  HNZ have advised that they have made the decision to reduce the density of trees in this area in order to increase visibility for both practical sunlight purposes as well as safety reasons for the Housing NZ properties. Additionally, HNZ have made the decision to remove the trees in full as it is a more costly use of our resources as it would be unreasonable to expect tenants to maintain such large trees, therefore it would be place an on-going dependence on Housing NZ to maintain the trees to a reasonable height.

DDahya note: By the way, any trees outside the boundary line are not HNZ's responsibility. I was under the impression that the trees outside the fence line(still on HNZ property) would be untouched - but HNZ did say trees outside the boundary wouldn't be cut down.