Treetech's tree spade truck at work removing an ash sapling
The green space next to Porirua’s splash pad will have
more shady options on sunny days, with young saplings replaced by pohutukawa
trees this week.
The splash pad, officially opened last December, has proved a smash hit with residents and visitors alike.
While the picnic tables and grass area next to the attraction are popular spots, they are exposed to the sun. Porirua City’s Parks Manager Olivia Dovey says the decision was made to create some shade to protect people at one of the city’s premier visitor points.
“There are some pohutukawa trees on the edge of the grass area, by the path, that are very well used, so we wanted to create more spots like that,” she said.
“We want it to be as natural as possible because it’s much nicer for visitors to sit under trees than a shade sail or timber structure.”
To achieve this, Christchurch contractors Treetech, who were in this region carrying out operations already, were hired to replace six ash saplings in the lawn area with mature pohutukawa.
The pohutukawa trees were moved from nearby Papakowhai Reserve using a tree spade truck.
Ms Dovey said the pohutukawa trees will not affect sight lines if concerts are held on the adjacent lawn.
The operation by Treetech cost about $7000. The success rate for transplanting pohutukawa trees is high, she said, and even higher when using the tree spade truck.
“The tree spade picks up a tree at a good size with a relative rootzone that can handle the transplant and will continue to grow. Winter is a good time to do this and pohutukawa are hardy and can handle the move.
“We will look after the newly planted trees carefully through the summer with water, mulch around the base, and lots of love and care.”
16 Aug 2018
