Lime tree’s days numbered

A large tree will be cut down outside Otago Museum in Dunedin next week after years of trying to bring it back to good health failed.

The small-leaved lime tree (at right of entrance) at the Museum Reserve needed to come down as its condition was becoming a safety issue, Dunedin City Council group manager parks and recreation Scott MacLean said.

"The tree is in a prominent location at one of the city’s most well-used reserves and it hasn’t responded to treatment.

"We don’t take losing a tree lightly but decided it was time to remove it."

Parks staff had monitored the health of the tree for several years and as it decayed due to fungus, the root plate lifted and it has become unstable.

The tree will be felled on Wednesday.

The stump will be left at ground level so people can observe the progress of fungal decay and subsequent invertebrate colonisation.