120-year-old church trees avoid the chop, for now

The Lawson Cypress trees which are planted at the Lumsden Presbyterian Church are set to be cut...
The Lawson Cypress trees which are planted at the Lumsden Presbyterian Church are set to be cut down to make way for the removal of the church building, which has been sold. PHOTO: MICHAEL CURREEN

The trees at a Lumsden church will live to fight another day.

A group of Southland residents has protested long and hard against the felling by a Lumsden church of Lawson cypresses that are at least 120 years old. The trees were scheduled to come down today.

But the person who was employed to do the job has pulled out at the last minute.

A Queenstown sawmiller, who did not wish to be named, said when he took the job he did not realise how many in the community were opposed to the trees being cut down.

Now he did he had declined the work.

"It's just turned into such a hornets nest I need to step back.

"For a couple of days of work, it's not worth it."

Even though the trees were not a native species they were more than 100 years old.

"History like that should be saved."

Lumsden Presbyterian Church minister Mike Kirkby-Sing said  church members were disappointed about the delay.

"This of course is a setback."

The church would continue with its plans to fell the trees and build a new meeting place.

" We love our place, and its history; however, our current buildings and section do not meet the needs of our congregation or the community.

"We still believe our plans are the best solution to our calling as a church.

Kim Spencer-McDonald was one of the members of the group opposed to the chopping down of the trees and said the church committee was determined to proceed with the felling, against widespread opposition.

Ms Spencer-McDonald said the group was determined to protect the historical significance and sheer beauty of the trees but had been unable to change the mind of the church committee which wished to sell the church, which was built in the 1890s.

The Southland District Council does not protect trees and does not have a significant tree list, which protects trees.

 - Staff reporter

 

 

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