One of Havelock North's most controversial trees could be in jeopardy, much to the chagrin of Plassey St resident Dave Head.
"I will have a chain and padlock ready if anyone comes near those trees with a saw or machinery that looks like it wants to attack those trees," Mr Head said, after noticing council staff inspecting the trees in his neighbourhood this week.
There are four cypress trees on the site where Havelock North developer Jim Joll won permission to build eight apartments in 2004, on the condition the plants would be retained.
Since then, residents, including Mr Head, have remained worried the trees will be removed.
A Hastings District Council spokeswoman said staff had made an initial inspection as part of a resource consent application to remove one of the trees.