A precariously leaning 30 metre Picea (conifer) in the Queenstown Gardens has been deemed dangerous and will be felled this week, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

The tree has always been on a lean that has increased over the years putting immense pressure on the roots and potentially creating safety issues Mr Bailey said.

The tree creaked so loudly during any wind that it was disconcerting for park staff and visitors alike.

We have had it independently assessed by an aborist and the prognosis is that the tree is also diseased and likely to fall We have no choice but to remove it in a controlled environment for safety reasons Mr Bailey said.

A bonus of removing the tree would be the benefits it would afford neighbouring specimens a Wellingtonia and an Oak.

Given the additional space, both of those trees will be able to grow to their full potential having been somewhat dominated by the Picea Mr Bailey said.

If the tree was able to be clean felled then the wood from the Picea would be milled and put towards some kind of community project.

It will depend on the quality of the timber but I am certainly investigating the possibility of utilising it in some way where it can still be enjoyed by the community.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 03 441 0499

By: Sarah