We’ve harvested two blocks of pine trees on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne.
Why?
The trees were ready for harvest. They were at a size and age where they were becoming a safety risk to road users, and to a lesser extent, nearby residents and businesses.
What next?
We’re still cleaning up after the harvest operation. This work largely involves managing the slash throughout the two blocks, and reinstating areas that have been impacted by the harvesting operation. Following the cleanup works, the intention is that both blocks will be replanted with native species.
Frequently asked questions
- Where exactly are the blocks?
The two blocks are located at numbers 59 and 93a on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne, between Alexander Avenue and Arawa Road.
- Why did we harvest the pine trees?
The pine trees were planted approximately 45 years ago. The trees were overdue for harvest and were at a size and age that they posed a health and safety risk to road users, and to a lesser extent, nearby residents and businesses.
It was critical that the trees were harvested, as the risk of the trees falling down was only increasing with time.
- What will happen to the slash?
Slash is the term used to describe tree waste left behind after the harvest.
We’re managing all slash according to the National Enviromental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF), with Bay of Plenty Regional Council monitoring our compliance throughout the project.
We already removed as much slash as practically possible from the hillside using ground-based machinery and a helicopter. The large stems still visible on the hillside “windthrow” – trees that are naturally knocked over by wiond before the harvesting began. These don’t need to be removed under current regulations.
At the main work area (59 Valley Road), we're chipping the bulk of remaining slash into wood chips. Any slash that can't be chipped will be arranged into organised piles called "windrows" at the base of the hillside on stable, flat ground.
- What’s the plan for the blocks after the harvest?
The intention is to replant both sites with native trees.
- Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
Please contact us if you have any questions about the project.
For urgent enquiries, phone the Project Manager on 07 306 0585.