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Whangateau residents are fuming after a giant pohutukawa tree was chopped down near the coastal township last month.
The tree was on esplanade reserve, between Tram Car Bay and Lews Bay, on land managed by Auckland Council.
Manager of local and sports parks north Martin van Jaarsveld says Council contractors were inspecting the tree to remove dead branches, but decided to cut it down as they deemed it to be a safety risk.
Contractors from Treescape found cracks in large branches and in the trunk, and decided to fell the tree immediately, before informing Council.
“The life of the tree was compromised and to leave it living would have been irresponsible,” Mr van Jaarsveld says.
“There was no time for a report or public consultation.
“Our approach is to retain trees where possible, but in cases like this it is a public safety issue.”
The wood was chipped and used for mulch on site and in other gardens.
Whangateau resident Elizabeth Foster says the tree was one of the biggest in the country and should never have been touched.
“Coastal pohutukawas should be allowed to lie where they fall, as happens elsewhere.
“It shouldn’t have been a decision for Treescape to make, it should have been a decision for the community.”
The wood should have at least been saved, not chipped, she says.
“It is a beautiful red wood. There would have been many woodworkers who would love to use the timber, especially from such a large trunk.”
Ms Foster has written to Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Councillors to get greater protection for coastal pohutukawa.
Simon Knight, who owns a section bordering where the tree was growing, says the tree had fallen down about six months ago, but was supported by large lower branches and was not at risk of falling further.
“It’s ridiculous. This beautiful tree didn’t need to be completely removed. Some of the branches had snapped, but it was still growing and they could have been removed without killing the tree.
“The tree must have been 500 years old and they’ve butchered it.”
The stump will be left over summer to see if there is any regrowth. If not, it will be removed and replaced with a pohutukawa, about two metres tall.
