A road cone has been spotted on top of a tall tree in Symonds Street Cemetery in Auckland. Photo: RNZ
Auckland Council is investigating how a road cone was placed on top of a tall tree in the CBD.
The tree in Symonds Street Cemetery stretches multiple meters off the ground well above the nearby Grafton Bridge which is roughly 43 metres tall.
Auckland Council regional arborists and ecological manager David Stejskal told RNZ he condemned people stealing cones and putting them in unlikely places, known as coning.
"The council does not condone such actions, and we want to remind Aucklanders that these kinds of incidents can not only damage trees but also pose significant risks to those involved and the contractors who would need to remove the cone.
"This kind of behaviour diverts valuable council resources from important work that benefits the wider community, and ultimately costs ratepayers."
The 'coned' tree is visible from Grafton Bridge. Photo: RNZ
Stejskal said the council tasked contractors with investigating after being alerted to the situation by RNZ.
He said the council would remove the cone if it was on public land.
The council wanted anyone who witnesses suspicious activity on public land to contact police.
