A chunk of the pine tree that once stood on One Tree Hill has been recovered by police - but it is rotten and has limited potential, Auckland Council says.
The tree was taken down 14 years ago after it was attacked with a chainsaw, but yesterday part of its base appeared for sale on Trade Me.
The piece of wood, which is mouldy and riddled with insects, is now back in storage in an arborist's yard.
Auckland Council Local and Sports Parks Manager Mark Bowater said the wood had been in storage for a decade and was a piece of rotting pine, in poor condition, with limited potential.
Mr Bowater said the three-metre piece of tree was initially offered to Auckland Museum, which returned it a few years later.
