No motive has been established yet for what appears to be the planned poisoning of iconic trees at Maclean Park, Paraparaumu Beach.
The Kāpiti Coast District Council is letting Maclean Park users know that six large pohutukawa trees have recently died and will need to be removed.
Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says staff investigated after finding a mysterious substance at the base of the dying trees.
Ms Laws says during regular maintenance council noticed some of our large trees were dying. She says it’s extremely unusual to see pohutukawa of this age die naturally so we’re sad to see them in this state.
“Council found a granular substance sprinkled around the base of the trees so it was sent off for testing and it’s been confirmed as Picloram, a high grade herbicide which Council doesn’t use in their parks,” says Ms Laws.
She says the substance has been removed but unfortunately they will eventually need to remove the trees.
The matter has been reported to local Police and anyone with information should touch base with them directly.
