Arborist blocks axing of trees blamed for drain issues

Large leaves from two trees are being blamed for causing regular flooding on a central Devonport street.

But an Auckland Council arborist has opposed removal of the Queensland umbrella trees from Anne St, saying the flooding instead relates to stormwater management.

Street residents say the trees’ leaves block drains.

One, Peter McNab, told the Flagstaff that the ground under his house has been flooded multiple times since the trees were planted and that he has to clear the gutters of leaves “every day”.

“There’s been at least a dozen times where I’ve been out in my pyjamas in the middle of the night clearing the gutters to stop the water coming in.”

Council arm Healthy Waters, council arborist Steve Kerbs and Auckland Transport evaluated the trees in May last year, reaching differing conclusions.

Healthy Waters concluded the trees were having a direct impact on flooding and said removing them and kerbing the planted area would “reduce the flooding frequency significantly”.

However, Kerbs recommended the trees remain, arguing the stormwater layout on the street was responsible for the flooding.

In an email to former Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Trish Deans, Kerbs said: “It would appear that stormwater management needs some attention here and that the current set-up is not fit for purpose. This is regardless of the trees”.

Auckland Transport said its responsibility was road maintenance not “designing new roads and rain gardens”.

Healthy Waters canned plans to modify two catchpits on the street, due to concerns increased inletting would allow the leaves to fall through and clog the main pipes.

After meetings, it was agreed Auckland Council would clear the drains regularly and before any major weather event.

Deans told the Flagstaff the issue led to a stalemate when the arborist refused to cut the trees down. The best solution everyone could agree on was the clearing of gutters.

McNab says the separate arms of the council working to their own processes and guidelines prevented a decision for the wider good.

He believed the approach adopted to be ineffective as a long-term solution, as council had been “inconsistent” with cleaning drains.

McNab still thinks the trees should be replaced with a specimen that has smaller leaves.

“We’re not anti-tree. We just want something like a kowhai, with small leaves that won’t block the drains.”