LAWRENCE GULLERY
A 133-year-old poplar tree - the largest of its kind in New Zealand - is the first among 130 others in the Hastings district to receive special treatment.
The Virginian Necklace Poplar which was planted in 1875 as part of the Frimley Estate, now Frimley Park, was attacked by vandals
earlier this month when a fire was started in the hollow of its trunk.
This week Hastings District Council installed a bollard chain fence around the 48-metre tall tree and an information stand tells onlookers how important the specimen is alongside others of its kind.
The council's team leader for trees, Chris Looij, said the hollow in the tree was probably the result of vandals damaging it for over 50 years.
He said the hollow would be filled in with limestone rock to prevent any more damage.
Two other trees in Frimley Park have also been earmarked for the same treatment but overall the council is looking at protection for its historic trees as it prepares management plans for each park.
The council's community services chair, Cynthia Bowers, said the rough treatment of the trees was a signal the council needed to step up its efforts.
``For quite some time we have known that we need to protect our most historic trees more than we have been in the past,' she said.
She said the fence and information stand would help people understand how important the trees were to Hastings' heritage and history.
``I don't think people realise how significant this tree is ... and we really have to do what we can to make sure it can live as long as it can.'
The poplar was also believed to be among the largest in the world. It was in a healthy condition although its growth had slowed with age.
It could live another 20 to 50 years.
It was planted on the original homestead of the Williams family grounds which now form part of Frimley Park.
The Virginian Necklace Poplar species was believed to have come from France in the 1770s, derived from cuttings of the female American Cottonwood.
