David Harvey: Erosion

Cause or Contribution

I recall when I was at school we were taught about erosion. That was a particular problem in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay areas. Much of the problem was exacerbated by the removal of ground cover and of trees which lent a certain stability to the land.

Tree roots mechanically reinforce soil, increasing its shear strength (“root cohesion”) and helping soil layers act more like a single, stronger mass. Large roots can anchor through the soil into weathered rock, tying the shallow soil mantle to more stable material beneath and across potential slip planes.

Frank Newman: Killer Trees

On January 6, a storm brought down a 150 year old English Oak tree in central Rotorua. It crashed onto a nearby office building and on a parked car, killing the sole occupant.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said the death was a tragic accident. She said, "This is an absolute tragedy and our hearts and thoughts are with the family at this terrible time".

Indeed it is a tragedy. The issue is whether it could or should have been avoided and whether the actions or inactions of the Mayor, the council's Chief Executive, or its arborist contributed to the tragedy and should be held criminally liable.

Frank Newman: Council Matters - Notable Trees and a Careful Deconstruction

Notable Trees

The WDC is currently going through what it calls a pre-consultation stage of a plan change regarding the management of protected trees in the district. They say, "Pre-consultation represents a great opportunity for you or your organisation to make a meaningful contribution in formulating provisions that work for everyone involved”.

By way of preamble, the policy states, "Trees provide a significant contribution to the amenity, historical, ecological and cultural values of the District. This is particularly so in urban areas where the ongoing demand for land development can threaten the existence of established trees…Individual trees and groups of trees that are considered to be among the most significant trees…are scheduled in this chapter in order to protect the benefits they provide for current and future generations."