Axed Featherston trees spark anger

Featherston residents are worried the beauty of their town is being compromised by South Wairarapa District Council, who have chopped down mature macrocarpa trees in Underhill Rd, considered one of the town's gems.

About 40 trees are now being felled, an action that has upset some townspeople.

Anthony Medcraft, who has lived six years on Bucks Rd, just off Underhill Rd, is upset about the felling and also the fact there was no public consultation.

"Featherston doesn't have a lot of beauty at the moment; this is the nicest part.

"It's the nicest street in town."

Mr Medcraft approached council to ask why the trees were being dropped and why nobody was told.

He was told council had been approached by other residents who wanted the trees removed on the grounds of safety. One of the issues raised was power lines.

"As you can see, they're a long way from the power lines. The power lines are on the other side of the road."

Mr Medcraft said the trees shelter Card Reserve, on the other side of the road, from wind.

"I think we should have been informed. They [council] said they didn't need to because it's council land," he said.

"Taking them out like this ... it's a shame people don't have a chance to say 'don't take them out'."

Underhill Rd resident Matt Noble said he was walking home one night and a large branch fell near him but he was saddened to see the trees chopped down.

"I think it's taking away from the beauty of the street," he said.

Council infrastructure and services manager Mark Allingham said some residents had asked for years for the trees to be felled.

They had been an "ongoing problem" and posed a safety risk, especially falling branches.

"Council's been looking at it for a fair while," he said.

Mr Allingham said the work had been delayed as council prioritised its workload.

He was unsure of the cost of the work or whether large gum trees on the same section of Underhill Rd would be removed as well.

"At some stage, we need to make a judgement on them."

All Seasons Tree Services contractor Henri van de Weyer said about 40 macrocarpa would be felled in total.

The tallest would be close to 30m and the rest would average 25m. He said the wood would be turned into mulch chip or be used for firewood.