95-year-old trees felled at Frasers Gully

Contractor Rhiane Dunn (17), of Dennis Hayes Logging, rests with a chainsaw (blade: 91cm). Photo...
Contractor Rhiane Dunn (17), of Dennis Hayes Logging, rests with a chainsaw (blade: 91cm). Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
Contractors felled several huge 95-year-old Douglas fir and Pinus radiata in Frasers Gully, Dunedin, yesterday. Bound for Korea, the logs weigh up to 10 tonnes.

The trees were up to 45m high, and the biggest 1.3m in diameter at the base.

City Forests harvesting and marketing manager Peter Johnston said the trees' unusually large size, due to their age, meant the larger specimens could be used as table-tops and temple poles (in religious buildings), as well as for general house building and industrial uses.

Conifers are usually felled at 30 to 50 years.

Contractors started clearing the 3ha block earlier this month.

Trucks have been taking logs to Port Otago since Tuesday.

The area would be regenerated with native bush.

Mr Johnston said contractors were making excellent progress and had cleared about 50% of the plantation.

The reserve should be reopened to the public early next month.

Health and safety was always taken seriously, but particularly so in this job, he said.

City Forests is wholly owned by the Dunedin City Council.

 

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