$250,000 bill kills hopes of saving Takapuna tree

A potential bill for more than $250,000 has killed hopes of saving a mature pohutukawa tree and phoenix palm which are in the way of works to widen one of Takapuna's busiest streets, Esmonde Rd.

The trees make a curiosity point because the pohutukawa has grown from around the base of the palm and their roots are interlinked.

Takapuna residents had hoped the clump would be shifted to a small park as part of landscaping for the $7 million road widening job.

But North Shore City councillors decided after getting a cost update that the trees must be chopped down.