A young pōhutukawa beside a popular waterfront walkway is unlikely to recover after being poisoned a third time.
The tree was one of three 3m-high pōhutukawa planted by Tauranga City Council along the harbourfront Beach Rd walkway during streetscaping work in August last year.
The tree was first targeted in November when a large amount of diesel was poured around its base, and it was vandalised again in July or August with petrol.
A Matua couple told the Bay of Plenty Times the tree had been targeted again this month.
On September 10, they noticed a shiny oil-based substance had been sprayed on the tree’s leaves, and some was also poured around its base.
The other two pōhutukawa were again not touched.
The woman said she phoned the council’s tree contractor Arbor Care and it was inspected the same day.
“They are fed up and fuming, and so are we.”
The woman said it appeared someone had stood back and sprayed the poison from shoulder height before emptying the remainder of the container around the tree’s trunk.
“This time it is impossible to remove all the poison from the tree’s leaves, and we’re really concerned about whether the tree will survive, particularly if it is targeted again.
“It’s upsetting and infuriating. Why would someone poison such a beautiful tree three times? We don’t believe these were random attacks.”
The woman said trying to save the tree was costing significant ratepayers’ money, as well as contractors’ time and effort.
She said the council needed to explore ways to catch the offender or at least deter them, such as installing a discreet camera on the tree and erecting a light pole nearby.
“The person responsible needs to be found and charged.”
After the previous two poisonings Arbor Care removed contaminated soil, replaced it with thick layers of mulch, and installed fencing to limit access to the tree’s base.
The fencing was later extended after the second poisoning incident.
Both remedial works cost nearly $1000.
Tauranga City Council head of spaces and places Ross Hudson said most of the tree’s foliage appeared coated in the substance, covering a significant portion of its canopy.
“We are unable to determine the exact substance used; however, based on visual observations, we believe it may be motor oil.”
Hudson said he could not confirm exactly how much product was applied or how high up the tree it was sprayed.
“However, the visible damage extended across most of the tree.
“Unfortunately, due to cumulative impacts of repeated poisoning events, the young tree is now unlikely to recover. At this stage, our only option is to leave the tree in place and monitor its condition.”
Hudson said the council had taken reasonable preventive measures within its remit, including extending protective fencing around the tree.
“However, we are not in a position to install surveillance cameras to monitor individual trees across the city.”
He described the repeated attacks as “extremely disappointing and disheartening”, and said it was “frustrating” to see a young tree repeatedly targeted in this manner.
“We do not know who is responsible... At this stage, we do not have any information that identifies or implicates a specific person.”
Hudson said the tree was planted in response to community requests, and residents strongly supported an upgrade in the area.
He said if information became available, it would be referred to the appropriate council team to investigate and determine any appropriate enforcement action.
Hudson said anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour should contact the council and provide as much information as possible so the matter could be investigated.
Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post with more than 25 years’ experience. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.