Final cut for Kerikeri redwoods

Kerikeri residents and businesses in the shadow of two stands of ailing redwood trees can now breathe easier following completion of their removal last week.

The mature trees on council-owned land were felled in the wake of a near-miss incident in April last year during Cyclone Tam, when a 30m tree crashed into a shed at Kerikeri Retirement Village, narrowly missing a gardener who escaped seconds before impact.

The potential for these trees to fall had been assessed as a significant safety concern because of their proximity to residential properties, pedestrian routes, surrounding businesses and community facilities. The review was carried out early 2025 with village representatives, Far North District Council and WorkSafe, and an arborist’s assessment was undertaken. While the arborist found no immediate stem-cracks in the redwoods, there was evidence of root-plate movement on four trees. The report questioned the stability of the trees during extreme weather and said that pruning alone would not be an adequate remedy.

Specialist arborist OS SafeTree Limited carried out the work, which included establishing the site with fencing and safety signage, managing traffic and pedestrians to maintain safe access, and installing noise and environmental controls. The redwood trees were then carefully dismantled and removed in sections, using cranes, elevated work platforms and rigging where required. Once the trees were removed, the stumps were ground below ground level, with all logs, mulch and green waste taken off site. The mulch was distributed to orchards around the Kerikeri area.

Background

The trees, located on Wendywood Lane, were planted in the 1920s as a shelterbelt for orchards.  Since then, urban development has surrounded the stands, including retail and housing.

You can read more about the project here.