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One of the four oaks in Gisborne that have died after someone poisoned them
Four 70-year-old trees planted in memory of soldiers lost in WWII have died after someone punched holes and poisoned them.
The four mature Pin Oak trees in Gisborne’s Kaiti Memorial Park were poisoned about a year ago.
The Gisborne district council had tried to save the trees, but this week said that all efforts had been unsuccessful.
The trees will be removed in the next few days.
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The council’s living space manager, De-Arne Sutherland, said 20-millimeter holes had been drilled into the trees to poison them.
“The trees were planted in mourning for the loss of loved ones after the war, and both the council and the YMCA, which owns the park, are distraught that someone poisoned the trees,” Sutherland said.
“The council spent significant funds trying to save the trees due to their cultural and environmental value, but a recent report by arborists indicated that they had shown few signs of recovery and were now a risk to the safety of bystanders,” he said.
“We will seek to prosecute the people who poisoned these trees, and now it is a police matter.”
The trees will be removed and the wood will be made available to Te Poho or Rawiri marae to be converted into seating.
A police spokeswoman said there have been no arrests or charges in connection with the poisoning “and there are currently no further lines of investigation.”
