Volunteer members of Wanganui's tree advisory group will have to be clever to maintain the city's arboreal heritage while keeping costs down, Wanganui councillor Helen Craig says.
She's the chairwoman of the tree policy committee. She loves trees herself, for the sense of well-being they give, their shade and their connection to history.
But she said damage to footpaths and underground infrastructure, and leaves clogging gutters, were both expensive.
Wanganui District Council's total annual cost attributed directly to trees, including landscaping consumables, is $442,000. Added to that is the cost of removing and replacing them in the central city, including pavement work - $35,000 a year.
"We have got to find a balance between cost and the treescape that we want.
"We will just have to be very clever in the species and infrastructure planning so we can have our cake and eat it too."
The council's current tree policy dates back to 2008 and does not include a vision or details on procedures. It's being urgently reviewed, following public protest over the planned removal of six plane trees in Taupo Quay a year ago.
A group of six volunteers - Bruce Dickson, Ritchie Minnell, Fiona McGowan, Colin Ogle, Cath Watson and Phil Thomsen - have been meeting monthly to work on the tree policy review.
Mrs Craig wanted the policy to come from the community, not from council. Council officers are present at the meetings, but only to take notes and write minutes.
The group is now finalising a vision for Wanganui trees.
The draft is: "The Wanganui District is known internationally for its rich mosaic of treescapes, gardens, natural environment and heritage plantings."
The real meat of the review will be operational policy, and it will take longer to formulate. Members are willing to have complex matters referred back to them after the policy is in use.
"The group we have is pretty keen to give as much direction to council as possible, so it could get quite detailed," Mrs Craig said.
A public meeting to consider the future of Wilson St's London plane trees will take place on October 29. Owners of buildings in the street and the tree group have been invited to attend to discuss various ways to manage the trees, pavements and related parking issues.