Options to decide the fate of the Red Oak

A new public notice has been added to the Red Oak at 45 Taupahi Road.

At their meeting in February the Toe-Paw Council report offered the following options:

Analysis of Options

There are three possible options.

Option 1. Leave the tree in its existing condition.

Advantages Disadvantages

• No further work required other than managing the epicormic growth.

• Potential for main stem failure.

• High probability of stem decay.

• Unnatural form with little aesthetic appeal.

Option 2. Reduce to the bole (approximately 3 metres above ground).

Advantages Disadvantages

• The tree remains in a safer form, removing the potential danger outlined in the arborist’s report.

• There is little remaining branch structure.

• The tree would not regain its original structure.

• Indefinite maintenance would be required for the life of the tree to manage epicormic growth and would forever be of limited amenity value.

Option 3. Removal of the tree and replacement specimen tree planted.

Advantages Disadvantages

• Opportunity for a new tree to be planted which • Cost of Resource Consent, tree removal and would fit better within the existing streetscape.

• Opportunity to replace with a more suitable species (the Red Oak achieved a size that caused issues for both infrastructure and neighbouring properties.)

• Council would be following the advice received by Council’s consultant arborist, that the tree in its present form is potentially dangerous. stump grinding.

Analysis Conclusion:

The preferred alternative is Option 3 as recommended by Council’s consultant arborist. Due to the work carried out on the tree it is now potentially dangerous (mitigated by Options 2 and 3) but is now in particularly poor form (*?) and detracts rather than adds amenity to Taupahi Road.

*? That report is now obsolete as there are other options – i.e..

Since then, the improved likelihood of recovery is clearly illustrated in lush spring growth. TRM readers suggest there are other better options worth exploring, such as carving the trunk into a tourist attraction, as indicated in the previous TRM blog – refer to precedent below..

Option 4?

The statue is named L.O.V.E., but many people refer to it by ‘Il Dito’ (the finger). It was erected in 2010 in front of Milan’s Stock Exchange building, in the centre of the North-Italian city.

or Option 5?

In the meantime this photo, sent by another concerned tourist, was taken on the corner of Salmon Street & 58 th Avenue in Portland, USA., provided as an example of what Toe-paw Council could do to try to save face?

What do you think?