Town split over felled 100-year-old trees

BY MARIKA HILL

The felling of century-old pioneer-planted trees in Woodville has caused an uproar, with critics saying there wasn't enough community debate beforehand.

Contractors have felled about six trees, some at least 100 years old, that were causing damage to Woodville School's plumbing and roof.

Enraged residents argued bitterly about the felling at Woodville School yesterday, when people who wanted the trees dropped clashed with those who wanted them saved.

Woodville District Vision community board deputy chairman Graeme Hale said chopping the trees was "sacrilegious" and the school failed to consult the town's representatives. "There's a 120-year-old oak gone – it's a disgrace. It's the typical Kiwi attitude, `they're in the way so we'll cut them down'."

Mr Hale described a "deathly silence" when 30 residents discovered the trees' fate at the Woodville Vision meeting last week. Attendees voted unanimously to save the trees and contractors yesterday agreed to temporarily halt the tree felling.

Woodville School principal Gerry McGirr said the trees were costing the school thousands in maintenance work, which would be better used for students' education.

Moss and leaves from the oldest trees, on either side of the school hall, were damaging the roof.

Roots also weakened underground pipes, which needed plumbing repairs twice a year. The hall had flooded in the past because of it, he said.

The board met three months ago to discuss the trees and unanimously decided to fell them.

This meeting was advertised in the monthly newsletter to parents of the school's 130 students, but no members of the public attended.

Mr Hale said the principal was justifying what he had done with excuses. Modern remedies, such as specialised paint or gutter cleaners, would have solved the issues. "I don't think enough investment has been done into methods to save the trees and prevent damage."

School neighbour Stuart Huddleston defended the school's decision, saying new Woodville residents caused the fuss. "It's buggers coming in here and they think they can change what happens here. It's people who take their kids outside the district but are quick to condemn [our school's decisions]."

The trees' fate will be discussed at Woodville School board of trustees meeting on February 16. Members of the public are invited.

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