A February 2010 photo of the tree, which the Hutchinsons said was much bigger when it was felled. Photo / Google Streetview
A February 2010 photo of the tree, which the Hutchinsons said was much bigger when it was felled. Photo / Google Streetview
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has apologised after cutting down a tree without talking to affected residents.
The mature China doll tree outside Chris and Karen Hutchinson's home on Fenton Terrace in Te Puke was cut down on June 15.
Council transportation manager Jim Paterson said although thetree was on council-owned land and not the couple's property, staff still should have talked to the Hutchinsons before having it removed.
"We made an honest mistake."
He said the tree - planted by a former tenant - was identified in a September 2017 urban tree review as a risk to the Hutchinsons' property.
It was healthy and not a risk to road or footpath users, but was damaging the fence and lifting cobbles in their courtyard, Paterson said.
"If a tree is affecting private property the council would normally, as a matter of courtesy, speak to the adjoining property owners to notify of the decision to remove the tree.
"This was not done in this instance. Council apologises for not notifying the landowners."
