The council counted 25 holes drilled into the trees. Photo: LDR / Maia Hart
Trees poisoned at Blenheim's Horton Park have been cut down ahead of schedule due to the risk of falling debris for people using the park.
The Marlborough District Council was advised earlier this year that six trees at Horton Park appeared to have had holes drilled into them, and a visible decline in their health.
Last month, an assets and services information package said an arborist had recommended three of the trees be cut down within the next 12 months.
Council staff and an arborist had hoped there would be more new growth after "winter hibernation", but spring inspections showed limited regeneration.
After a more detailed report was prepared for committee approval to remove the trees, the council was to vote on it, according to the information package. However they did not get a chance to do this before the trees became a safety risk.
The council's parks and open spaces manager instead used their authority to remove the trees because they were a health and safety risk, a council spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Attempts were made to fill the holes that had been drilled into the trees. Photo: LDR / Maia Hart
The spokesperson said "sadly" there had been a rapid decline in the health of the trees.
"There was no sign of a 'spring bounce back' (new growth); the trees had seriously declined and, in the arborist's assessment, would soon have become a health and safety issue for the public, with increased falling debris likely," the spokesperson said.
"With the suspected herbicide poisoning, through 25 drilled holes, it was highly unlikely the trees would recover."
For the other trees, closer to the former netball courts, the arborist recommended removing any dead wood, heavily mulching the trees, regularly watering them, and ongoing monitoring.
A report to the council assets and services committee in March said the "visible decline" in the health of the plane trees meant it was clear a substance had been poured into the holes.
Poisoned trees in Blenheim’s Horton Park have been cut down due to the safety risk. Photo: LDR / Maia Hart
Council staff had "filled and capped" the holes and a mulch was placed around the trees to keep moisture in. Any heavy equipment associated with cricket activity at the park had been moved away from the base of the trees.
Marlborough Cricket general manager Ed Gilhooly said in March he did not know the trees had been poisoned until the council told him.
Until that point, he just thought the trees were dropping their leaves due to the dry summer.
"I don't think anyone had commented on it either.
"But clearly now you look at them knowing they've been poisoned and realise they're not looking too healthy."
He said it was disappointing someone had poisoned them.
An arborist undertaking monitoring of large trees in Horton Park in Blenheim late last year noticed holes had been drilled into some of the trees. Photo: LDR / Maia Hart
"They actually provide nice shade, in terms of Horton Park. The best grass is nearer those trees because they've been shaded from the sun a bit more, so it's really healthy."
He said trees were always important at cricket matches for spectators.
"You do need grounds that have got a bit of shade, especially in a hot place like Marlborough in the middle of summer."
In the past, neighbours had asked for the trees to be pruned and had complained about leaves dropping.
Four plane trees at the back of the council's building were also removed in October under authority from council staffers and the chairperson of the assets and services committee.
The trees were said to be causing infrastructure damage, a tripping hazard and made parking difficult.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
