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Trees get council hearing u by Paul Campbell
A petition signed by some 70 area residents seeking the removal of two aged and deteriorating ‘Norfolk’ pines at the Pahi Reserve entrance has been presented to a full meeting of the Kaipara District Council, along with a serious question as to the trees’ identification.
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While the council is now reviewing the information from the Pahi Reserve Society, which administers the Pahi Beach Holiday Park and reserve area, local resident Tony Louisson, who has studied the trees from his nearby home of 52 years, is certain the trees are, in fact, Australian native Bunya pines, sometimes known as a false monkey puzzle tree. “I have researched these trees for more than 50 years. Bunya pines, native to Queensland, are large evergreen coniferous trees that can grow to 45 metres tall and cones can be 30 centimetres in diameter, some weighing as much as 16 kilograms,” said Tony. “The cones can kill someone, and Bunya trees are listed as dangerous and have been cut down in some parts of Australia due to this risk. “It annoys me that the Pahi trees have been wrongly identified officially, giving them undeserved protection.” The trees in question are currently listed as ‘notable’ Norfolk pines in the New Zealand Tree Register after being put forward for recognition as such by a local p Pahi's Tony Louisson: “The trees are not Norfolk pines” resident some years ago. However, other locals have collected with numerous heavier branches that cones weighing a kilogram, and more have fallen into the children’s playground from under the towering Pahi trees, along directly below, a bed and breakfast
business and nearby holiday park accommodation all in a danger zone under the canopy. Residents say that when first seen as a threat and complaints were made, KDC undertook to carry out a programme of maintenance. However, years have passed with no activity. After repeated references to the council went unheeded, the petition was presented last week, along with photographic evidence of fallen debris. Society secretary Gabriella Matich said Mayor Jason Smith accepted the petition. “We concluded our presentation with reference to the fact that the trees in question may be another species of tree altogether, Bunya pine from Australia. At that point, there were few gasps and questioning looks,” she said. “Councillor Vincent asked if we had considered moving the playground? We answered that it had already been suggested in the past. Considering if we did move the playground to keep the children safe, it still puts at risk properties residents and the general public that walk underneath. Moreover, because they are ageing trees, they are a hazard to habitable properties and children and adults.“ The council decision on the trees is awaited. ¢
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