Tree crusader slams council in family elm dispute | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

A descendant of Carterton's founders claims Carterton District Council is running for cover after damaging and pulling out two 150-year-old English elms planted by his great grandfather.

Larry Parker is furious the council won't admit it damaged the roots of two Memorial Park elm trees, planted during the town's founding, which led to their removal months ago.

The council rejects the claim, saying that the trees had stunted roots because of soil conditions and other factors. But Mr Parker says this is contradicted by an independent arborist's report that attributes damage to the council.

"The people of Carterton know that the council blew it and mucked it up and that those trees were damaged not from disease or something but council action."

The report noted it was "highly likely" roots were disturbed and severed when the asphalt was being torn up.

Mr Parker said he saw the damage during construction: "They were scratched and scrapped and all the roots that were still there were damaged - I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what they did."

He was dissapointed by the loss of trees that, according to family legend, grew from seeds carried in his great grandfather's pocket.

One tree remained that he hoped could be given some kind of protection status.

Carterton community and recreation services manager Brian McWilliams said he talked with Mr Parker several months ago and believed the issue had been resolved with a plan to build a plaque commemorating the elms. He refuted comments from the arborists report and said he wouldn't apologise. "Highly likely' doesn't mean it actually happened. There were a lot factors involved."