We’ve harvested two blocks of pine trees on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne.
Why?
The trees were well overdue for harvest and were at a size and age where 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 trees falling down and the hillside giving way increases with time.
What happens after the harvesting?
The blocks will look quite bare, but the intention is that both blocks will be replanted with native species.
Frequently asked questions
- What’s happened?
We’ve harvested two blocks of pine trees on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne.
Due to the steep terrain on the northern block, a helicopter helped in the final stages of the harvest.
- 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 trees falling down and the hillside giving way only increases with time.
- Who did the work?
Tramroad, a reputable contractor, was engaged for the harvest and sale of the trees. Tramroad has previous harvest management experience in an urban environment.
- What will happen to the slash?
Slash is the term used to describe tree waste left behind after the harvest.
In this operation, slash is being managed in line with the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF). Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) is the organisation responsible for monitoring compliance with the NES-CF in the Whakatāne District. We worked closely with BOPRC compliance officers in the planning and delivery phase of the project.
Part of our obligations under the NES-CF is to remove slash that is longer than two metres and with a large-end diameter of more than 10 cm from erosion-prone land, as long as it’s safe to do so. The slash would be placed on stable ground; for example, worked back into access tracks and skid sites. Any excess slash (that can’t be worked into stable ground) would be chipped and left on-site or removed entirely.
Once slash was on stable ground, the risk of it moving is low. In the very rare event that slash does move from the Valley Road sites downhill to the land below, there was a large ‘buffer zone’ of flat land between the pine block and neighbouring properties. Therefore, the risk of slash damaging neighbouring properties is considered extremely low. It’s also worth noting that slash movement and its associated impacts like those seen in the Hawke’s Bay region are a result of slash moving via waterways. There are no waterways within the Valley Road pine blocks that are capable of moving slash.
- Have iwi been involved in the process?
Ngāti Awa, as mana whenua, has been engaged throughout the project and supports the removal of the trees.
- What will happen to the harvested trees?
All marketable timber will be taken off-site for sale. The contractor is managing the sale of timber on behalf of us.
- What will the blocks look like after the operation?
The landscape will look very different, particularly towards the top of the hillside. The upper part of the hillside would appear very bare. The lower parts will still have pockets of trees, both exotic and native. Wherever possible, all trees except for pine and eucalyptus will be preserved.
We considered removing pest plants such as privet; however, these trees would be left to stabilise the hillside during the restoration phase.
- 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.