Three aging Lombardy poplars, posing a danger on St Omer Park will be felled prior to spring, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

After one of the poplars fell and crushed a car in January, specialised equipment in the form of tomography was brought in to effectively x-ray the remaining large trees.

"At that time one further tree required urgent removal, whilst another three were deemed unsafe. In actual fact these trees are decayed internally to the extent that if we do not take them down they will fall down," Mr Bailey said.

Fortunately the three trees, located in front of the Rydges Lakeland Resort Hotel, were standing in a cluster of trees, which would lesson the impact. In line with Council's policy, the trees would be replaced.

"We hope to have the work completed by the end of September, at which point we will commence replanting," Mr Bailey said.

The work would include the removal of large dead branches from ten other trees.

"This will serve a twofold purpose, on one hand ensuring public safety and on the other, hopefully extending the longevity of these remaining heritage trees," Mr Bailey said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah