Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest is devastated by the poisoning of five established trees on the southern side of Cambridge's Lake Te Koo Utu.
The trees, including three native tōtara, a cryptomeria and a cedar, are in poor condition after being discovered last week with drill holes indicating poisoning. The treesare going brown and losing their leaves.
Mayor Jim has slammed the vandalism, calling it an attack on the town of trees. Council staff have notified Police.
"I am shocked that anyone would deliberately damage such well-established trees. Council works hard to maintain our parks and reserves and this sort of wilful damage is disappointing both for the public who enjoy the trees and the parks team who maintain them."
The damaged trees were discovered by members of the Cambridge Community Board, Cambridge Tree Trust and Lakewood Development who were on site to discuss future improvements to the area.
"Council's arborist is monitoring the trees' condition but they are not expected to recover and will eventually need to be removed," said Mr Mylchreest.
The trees will be replaced with similar specimens and a close eye will be kept on the area. He asks that anyone with information about the damage to contact Police.
He would not be drawn on who might be involved in the poisoning.
