A "significant" tree crushed this convertible Mazda car
when it fell without warning in Cobden St yesterday. Photo
by Stephen Jaquiery.
A giant, protected tree which fell without warning
crushed the car of a senior guide as she gave a tour of
Olveston House in Dunedin yesterday.
The female guide's convertible car was parked outside
Olveston, in Cobden St, when the large beech tree, which was
growing in the home's grounds, fell on the car without
warning about 2pm.
The tree crushed the car, writing it off.
The woman could not be reached yesterday, but Olveston
manager Grant Barron said she was giving a tour at the time
the tree crushed her car and had to finish the tour despite
knowing the fate of her vehicle.
Mr Barron said the tree had not been touched for years as it
was one of several on the property protected by the Dunedin
City Council.
Council Parks and Reserves team leader Martin Thompson said
the tree was one of 1200 "significant" trees listed with the
council.
The listing meant if the property owner, who must still
maintain the trees, wanted to do anything with them, resource
consent was needed if there was a wish to cut the tree down,
or permission from the council needed for other work.
Certain trees were considered significant to the city because
of their condition, their impact on the landscape and/or
their age.
If property owners noticed any problems with the trees, they
could contact the council for advice, he said.
A Fulton Hogan contractor at the site said it appeared the
tree's root system had given way.
The tree was to be cleared by contractors last night.
debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz
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