Southland District Council (SDC) has announced that Winton’s historic memorial trees on Great North Road, between Clyde St and Dejoux Road, are to be felled.  

The removal was recommended by the Oreti Community Board as part of the council’s 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, due to the cost of ongoing maintenance and the damage the trees were causing to underground infrastructure. 

Central Southland local Ann Robbie says while it’s a shame that the trees are to be removed, she can understand why.

“The trees were either planted for the Queen’s coronation or for the returned servicemen of WWII, there just aren’t the records to say exactly which. But they are at least 70 years old.”

“Either way it’s a darn shame they are going.”

The first section of trees to be removed along Great North Road, Winton. Image: SDC

SDC announced on 31 March that the trees are to be felled over the period of 14 April to 1 May this year. 

Robbie says she is disappointed that the council did not give residents more notice of the removal. 

“The communication wasn’t good; it was just all of a sudden on Facebook that they were going.” 

“We would love to be able to keep the trees, but because of the issues underneath they do have to go. There are just some things we can’t let stand.” 

SCD estimates that it cost over $4000 + GST each time the trees required maintenance to keep them out of overhead powerlines.

Mark Day, Community Facilities Manager for the council, says a recent survey found that 9 of the trees were found to contain dead wood and 4 were considered to be in a poor condition.

Of the 20 trees to be removed, only 7 were found to be in good condition. 

Robbie says she hopes the removal of the trees will encourage SDC to invest in another WWII memorial in Winton, the ANZAC Oval. 

“With the trees going I think we can focus on something better across the road. I would love to see the council give the ANZAC Oval better signage and making it much better for ANZAC day.”

“People driving through don’t know it’s there, they don’t see the band rotunda.” 

“It’s a brilliant area for Winton, for families, for young and old. I think the public would really get behind that sort of thing,” she says.