Auckland Council is working to better understand signs of decline affecting tānekaha (also known as celery pine) trees in several North Shore reserves and is asking park users to follow good hygiene practices, including staying on marked tracks and keeping dogs on designated paths, to help protect these areas while assessments continue.
Tānekaha trees showing signs of decline have been identified in a number of reserves, including Chatswood Reserve, Fernhill Escarpment, Kauri Glen Reserve, Le Roys Bush and Eskdale Reserve. Surveillance and testing are underway to better understand what is causing these trees to die off.
Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy, Planning and Development Committee says everyone visiting reserves can play a role in protecting Auckland's native forests.
“We know people care deeply about our parks and native bush and want to reassure the community that we’re keeping a close eye on the situation. We’re taking a precautionary approach because tānekaha are a unique and valued part of Auckland's native environment and also have a history of significant cultural value and use by Māori,” says Cr Hills.
“We are still looking into what the cause could be. In the last five years, we’ve had the hottest year on record, the driest year on record and the wettest year on record here in Tāmaki Makaurau and we know that these extremes can cause stress and trees to die. So, while I know dying trees are extremely upsetting to our community, it is important we don’t jump to conclusions while we wait for test results and do all we can to protect our forest in the meantime."
Chair of Kaipātiki Local Board, Danielle Grant says that council staff are doing all they can and asks that the community do their part to protect these trees while we await more information.
“Tānekaha trees, or celery pine, are an important part of our native bush and we know how much our community values places like Le Roys Bush, Kauri Glen Reserve and Eskdale Reserve. We don’t yet know what is causing the decline and dieback being observed in some trees, so it is important that we allow the investigations to continue,” says Chairperson Grant.
“In the meantime, we encourage people to follow existing tracks, stay on the boardwalks and tracks, and use the kauri dieback hygiene stations when visiting our reserves. These simple steps can help protect our native bush while we learn more.”
Next steps
Auckland Council is increasing monitoring of affected trees and implementing measures such as temporary fencing and signage where needed, to discourage off-track access and minimise soil movement in affected areas.
As investigations continue, the council will work with iwi, partner agencies and community groups to raise awareness of the issue and promote good hygiene practices across affected reserves.
Plant Pathogens Team Manager, Adam Duncan, says while there are still unanswered questions, acting with caution is important.
"At this stage, we don't know what is causing the decline and dieback symptoms we're seeing in some tānekaha trees. While our investigations continue, we're taking practical steps to reduce the potential spread of any soil-borne pathogens and protect these sites and ask that everyone follows good hygiene practices to protect our forests,” says Mr Duncan.
If you see a tānekaha tree that looks to be sick or dying, you can report it on the Auckland Council website.