Is it illegal to cut down a pohutukawa tree?
Pōhutukawa are native to New Zealand and in many parts of the country, they may be protected and therefore require special permission to remove – even to simply prune.
Is it illegal to cut down a native tree?
When the council schedules a tree as notable, it receives greater legal protection, and can’t be cut down without resource consent.
How do you kill a pohutukawa tree?
A stand of large pohutukawa trees will need to be cut down on the Kāpiti Coast, north of Wellington, after tests showed they were killed by an unknown herbicide poisoner. The poison used was so potent that nothing can be planted in their place at a public park for up to a year.
Are all native trees protected?
Currently, there are several species of trees that are protected in Auckland, which include the puriri, Norfolk pine, kauri, totara and pohutukawa. The puriri, or Vitex lucens, is an evergreen tree that is native to New Zealand.
How long do pohutukawa trees live?
How long do they live? Pōhutukawa can live for hundreds of years in their natural coastal environment. While it is common to see 100-year-old trees growing in home gardens, both pōhutukawa and northern rātā can probably live up to 1000 years.
What trees Cannot be cut down?
Any tree with a trunk circumference smaller than 12 inches may be removed without a permit. Anything larger will be considered a significant tree and therefore protected. In this case, you will need permission to remove the tree.
Can you top pohutukawa trees?
Undertake any work when the tree is most dormant – i.e. mid winter. However, reducing the size of a pohutukawa is not easy. If you cut large branches back you will precipitate epicormic growth back along the remaining branch which thickens up the within tree foliage.
Are pohutukawa trees endangered?
Despite its importance as a cultural symbol, Pohutukawa populations have declined dramatically – 25 years ago it was thought that up to 90% of coastal Pohutukawa stands had disappeared. The primary threat to this species is invasive non-native possums.
Is it safe to remove a pohutukawa tree?
If you want to prune or completely remove a pohutukawa that’s on your property, ask your local Zones Landscaping about the specific rulings in your neighbourhood. Doing the wrong thing could result in a hefty fine it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What kind of plants can you plant under pohutukawa tree?
Not a NZ native, clivias survive low shade and dry soils very well. To get these plants established, a raised bed will need to be created underneath the pohutukawa as they have a very fibrous root system there is very little soil for plants to grow into.
How to tell a rata tree from a pohutukawa tree?
Rata leaves are glossy on both sides, dark green on the top and paler on the underside. The tips even have a bit of a notch as you can see in this photo. Southern rata leave are also glossy on both sides, green on top and paler on the underside.
Can you plant Hi Rosemary under a pohutakawa tree?
Hi Rosemary, under-plantings are always difficult as the trees take a lot of nutrients and moisture out of the soil, as well as creating shade.
Can you grow a pohutukawa tree from cuttings?
Growing from cuttings ensures the tree is more advanced in its development at the time of planting and is a genetic duplicate of the parent tree. However, it can be difficult to ‘strike’ cuttings. It is therefore advisable to use the ‘aerial rooting’ technique for taking pohutukawa and rata cuttings.
What happens if you cut down a tree in Wellington?
If you prune or cut down a tree that is on public property you can be fined. Unless a tree on your property is protected, you can maintain it as necessary. This includes native trees such as pohutukawa. About half of Wellington’s 150 protected trees are on private property.
Is the pohutukawa tree on my side of the fence?
If the tree is on your neighbour’s side of the boundary, it’s their tree not yours – even if its branches or roots impact your side of the fence.
Is it legal to cut down trees on neighbour’s property?
Legally you can cut overhanging branches and roots of trees on your neighbour’s property back to the boundary (this is called ‘abatement’), however, the same rules from above apply if those trees are native. When dealing with troublesome trees on your property, always ask for professional advice.