2010 saw the stealthy removal by the Administration workers of several mature but young pines from the grassy area opposite the Customs/Post Office building and the Liquor Bond. There was no public advice that this was to happen and they were taken at first light to avoid traffic (and any opposition presumably). As the business community came to life they were outraged to find stumps where before majestic trees had stood. There were notes written and left on the stumps, there was flowers left and the Conservator and Ministers of Government copped flak verbally from many members of the public. I too joined the throng in condemning the taking of these trees and voiced Landcares disapproval. We called for a long term plan for the replacement of trees years prior to trees being removed. The conservator did his best to quell the publics outrage and did agreed with our comments about tree planning. As yet to our knowledge no such policy has been introduced or exists.
Kavha also planned to remove trees but did publically state this in their weekly column in the local paper. It was planned that 3 trees would be removed from the region of the Queen Elizabeth Lookout. Again a letter of protest from Landcare was penned. The Manager of Kavha called to discuss the letter with me. After some discussion; we agreed to the removal of only 1 tree - that closest the lookout which was a pine which had been topped sometime in the past.
True to their word only this one tree was removed.
Kavha did however remove several pines near to the roadway that runs behind the beach. I dont remember reading that this was going to happen but no doubt their proximity to the road sealed their fate and our protests would have been futile.
In Feb 2010 I heard of the proposed removal of one of the two pines which stand behind the Westpac bank and Maxes Duty Free store. Again a letter of protest was penned. The land on which the pine stood is part of a family estate who all live off Island. I was contacted by the family member who managed the estates affairs and invited to a meeting with him, the Conservator and the shop owner who proposed the trees removal. The meeting duly took place with the shop owner complaining that the tree shaded his PV cells atop the roof and dropped pine needles there. He brought with him a local electrical contractor to push this argument. I stated why I thought the tree should stay - it was still quite young ... I estimated 40-45 years based on the similar size of pines at Kingston which had been planted for my great-grandmothers 100 birthday in 1971. It provided a beautiful behind vista to town etc etc
The conservator felt it was in the best interests that the tree come down. I lost... The tree was removed!
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