That has been the case for guerrilla gardener Steve Macknight, who had to remove 58 broadleaf native trees after he planted them along one side of Queens Gardens without approval from the Dunedin City Council or the RSA in September.
About two weeks ago, he replanted them in Water St on the edge of a carpark — with the council’s permission.
Mr Macknight said he had checked all the boxes with the council this time and it was on board with his plan.
"I think we all have areas around the place which we see are in need of a bit of tidying up and beautification.
"I think it’s good to see that if you do it the right way you can be involved and do things."
Mr Macknight will look after them for the next three years and then the council will take over their maintenance.
The trees helped add some greenery to the cityscape and beautify a "rough old carpark", Mr Macknight said.
He held no resentment towards the council for making him remove the plants from Queens Gardens and was working with the RSA on some ideas for the space.
"Queens Gardens could do with a bit of improvement because it’s potentially such a fantastic spot."
He felt his rogue planting of the trees had got the ball rolling since he did not get very far with the council beforehand.
"It’s very hard to know where the obstacles are until you start trying to find out.
"Sometimes it’s just being a bit proactive, you know. It can give you a few leads."
He spent about $3000 buying the plants and was glad he was able to find a reasonably prominent spot in the city to plant them.
