School swaps pines for natives

BY MICHELLE COOKE

"Health and safety" concerns have led to an enviroschool chopping down 15 pine trees on school grounds.

Churchill Park School has appeared in the East & Bays Courier a number of times for its efforts to become more environmentally-friendly and its students were sad to see the trees removed last week - they even staged a mini protest.

But principal Liz Gunn says the youngsters were satisfied after she explained why the trees had to be cut down and that they will be replaced with natives.

Mrs Gunn says the school did not want the trees removed but it came down to "health and safety" after neighbours raised concerns about the pine trees impacting on their health last year.

Some residents felt the pine trees were giving them allergies and affecting their asthma.

Arborists informed Mrs Gunn that while the trees were manageable now, they may pose a safety risk to students in years to come as they begin to rot and become too weak to stand tall.

One large pine located in the park next to the school fell down a month ago.

"Certainly we want to have trees but we want to be able to manage them," Mrs Gunn says. "Part of the consent is that we have to replant with 20 native trees, which we're more than happy to do."

Jenny Watson, who sits on the school's board of trustees, says it's been a great learning experience for pupils, who will be able to select which native trees will be planted.

The pine trees have been offered as firewood to parents, who are invited to make a donation to the school.

- © Fairfax NZ News