Waimea Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 9 November 2022
Vandals kill trees in Wakefield JO KENT A “senseless” act of vandalism has condemned two trees to a slow death on Wakefield’s Railway Reserve after their trunks were ringbarked late on Sunday night. The damage to the 25-year-old tilia trees was spotted by local walker Bob Croy when out for his
morning stroll near Belfit Lane last Monday. “What’s in someone’s head to carry out the destruction of two beautiful trees like this? It really sickens you. It’s senseless.” The trees are well-loved by the community and many families have been left distraught at the thought of losing them.
Mum-of-three Jenny Lines says her property backs on to the trees and her kids love playing on them. “We don’t have any large climbing trees in our garden, so the boys have spent hours climbing these trees on the reserve behind our house. The trees were even more appreciated during both the lock-
downs, when the kids had energy to burn and nowhere to go. “It’s really disappointing to think this may have been done intentionally. I really appreciate the access we have to this reserve and other similar areas around our community, the beautiful established trees are part of that.” Reserves officer for TDC, Richard
Hilton, who assessed the damage, says both trees are severely damaged and can’t be saved. “The vascular bundles, which are like people’s veins, are beyond repair which means the trees won’t be able to take any moisture or goodness from the ground to
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King of Kohatu
Hayden Mortimer (pictured insert) took the week off work to build his Toyota Starlet from the ground up ready for King of Kohatu on the weekend. Full story on page 22. Photo: James Giblin/ Projexphoto.
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