Pine Trees' Removal Next Week

A large stand of pine trees in Fitzroy will be removed next week.

The 50 pine trees alongside Clemow Road near the entrance to Lake Rotomanu are an erosion threat to the Waiwhakaiho River bank, and will be replaced with flaxes and other native shrubs.

“The trees are too close to the river and when they fail, they accelerate bank erosion – as we’ve seen earlier this year from a couple of the pines,” says District Arborist Conrad Pattison.

“These trees are up to 30m tall so their removal will make a big difference to the immediate landscape, but the replanting in winter will beautify the area.”

Elsewhere along the river’s banks, Taranaki Regional Council is removing willows, poplars and other vegetation that can reduce the ability of the river to carry large flood flows.

The removal of the pines will take five days (weather permitting) from next Monday (29 November), and the resulting tree mulch will be used in the Peringa Park Wetland.

Mr Pattison says public access to Lake Rotomanu will remain open during this period, but people should heed the warning signs and stay out of the work area.