'Annoyed and sad': 150 year-old Hastings oak to be cut down amid safety fears

Peter Morgan takes a final look at the doomed oak on Wolsely St. Photo / Paul Taylor

Last weekend's gales appear to have spelled doom for one of Hastings' oldest residents.

Hawke's Bay Today understands that a massive oak on Wolseley St, located outside the Brittany House rest home, is to be chopped down next week because of safety fears - much to the disappointment of some.

Peter Morgan said he had stayed regularly in the area over the past three years and had come to love the tree, which is thought to be 150 years old.

"I was so annoyed when I heard the tree was going to come down and be made into firewood.

"It's just so sad that a tree, after 150 years, that looks 100 per cent to the naked eye (has to come down) but apparently the top of it is rotten.

"When I heard about it I just thought 'oh my God'. I guess it's going to happen on Monday that they will come in and chop it all down."

Morgan said he was a frequent visitor to China where they could do "amazing things" to keep trees alive, including replanting existing trees.

He suggested more local councils here should take a leaf out of their book.

"I'm going back to China later this month and I'm hoping to take this further."

It is understood recent high winds in Hawke's Bay caused safety concerns.

A Hastings District Council spokeswoman confirmed the tree was on private land and was not listed as protected under the council's district plan.

"As such, no resource consent is needed to chop it down."

Brittany House did not respond to a request for comment.