Downed trees spark clean-up operation

A clean-up operation is under way following the high winds that buffeted Christchurch yesterday, bringing down trees and tree branches across the city.

Contractors have been out this morning removing tree debris that has fallen on roads and are also in city parks checking trees for damage and removing any downed trees or fallen branches.

A tree in Cranmer Square had its branch ripped off in the wind.

Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge says more than 200 job requests have come in over the past 24 hours relating to damaged or downed trees across the city.

About half of them relate to trees on roads, while the other half relate to trees in parks.

The job request count does not include the trees that were damaged by the winds in Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens.

“One full tree is down in Hagley Park and there are another two or three that have reasonably significant damage. They may ultimately end up having to be removed but we are still in the process of assessing them,’’ Mr Rutledge says.

Another tree in the Armagh Street carpark has been identified for removal.

“This was the most damaging wind event that we’ve had in the city since 2014 and the clean-up is probably going to take about a week.’’

Mr Rutledge says the pin oak in Rolleston Avenue, which caused injuries to a tourist when a branch ripped off it in the wind about 2.30pm yesterday afternoon, is in the process of being felled.

The tree had last been inspected in December 2016 and it appeared then to be in good health.

Trees in highly used public spaces like streets, urban parks, cemeteries and community facilities are inspected by the Council within a six to seven year cycle.
If during that inspection any issue associated with the health of the tree or its structure is identified, the Council uses internationally recognised tree risk assessment methods to identify the appropriate response.

“The risk associated to injury by trees is inherently low,’’ Mr Rutledge says. “We reduce this risk further through regular inspection and maintenance. As these types of failures are so rare, when they do occur they become at the forefront of people’s minds and cause worry.

“We do, however, regularly inspect the trees for risk to the public and our staff and we carry out the appropriate and proportionate amount of pruning and removals to ensure that people are not put at undue risk.

“It also worth noting that the health benefits people receive from trees far outweigh any risks,’’ Mr Rutledge says.