Vandals destroy trees on public land in Cromwell

Vandals appear to have targeted several large trees on public land in Cromwell.

At one location, two mature cherry trees have been chopped down on a council verge; at a second spot, a tree has died and another is under watch after suspected poisoning.

In the second incident, a council arborist found what appeared to be drill holes at the base of the two London plane trees, an indication someone likely injected poison into them.

One of the trees has died and been removed by the council, while the other is being monitored and is in a "poor state", Central Otago District Council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey says. 

The council is viewing the incidents as wilful damage to public property.

“We are aware that trees are often seen as an issue for some people, however, the role trees play in providing shade, home for wildlife and mitigating the effects on the climate generally outweigh any negative effects from leaves or roots," Mr Bailey says.

There are significant costs involved with removing these trees and their stumps, which restricts what the council can spend on maintaining other trees, he says.

The council is not commenting on the exact location of where the vandal, or vandals, struck.

Community experience manager David Scoones says the focus is letting the community know the council is aware of the damage happening and urging people to look after the town's trees.

"Any trees on council land that have an issue should be a conversation with the council, please, before any action is taken," he says.