Fallen tree just misses home on Takarunga slopes

A long-time Devonport resident was shocked to discover a large tree on the slopes of Takarunga had crashed to the ground just centimetres from her house.

Anne Gilfoyle was sitting in her lounge with a neighbour, Naomi Petersen, who noticed the poplar tree was no longer standing.

It fell over on Thursday afternoon after the heavy rain, blocking the well-used walking path from Flagstaff Lane to the maunga.

Gilfoyle said she has expressed concerns over the danger posed by the tree to local authorities for more than 20 years. Her campaigning to the former Devonport Borough Council got it trimmed more than two decades ago, but she says the root causes were not addressed.

The stump of the tree was rotten and held up by only a small portion of sound trunk, she said.

Two years ago, Gilfoyle advised former Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Trish Deans of the tree’s potential risks.

Deans had sent a concerned email to the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, about the tree being “clearly unsafe”, but no action was taken.

Petersen said the tree was always going to topple eventually and it was lucky no one was walking past when it fell.

“It could’ve killed someone.”

Gilfoyle had heard nothing about when the fallen tree would be cleared.

“I’m sure there will be a huff and a strife over it because a lot of kids use the path to get to school and lots of people walk their dogs. It’s a very popular track”.

Close call...

Anne Gilfoyle (right) on her deck with her neighbour Naomi Petersen, who first noticed a large tree had fallen close to Gilfoyle’s house