Only one of the mature lombardy poplars located on Queenstown's St Omer Park required urgent removal, Queenstown Lakes District Council director of parks Paul Wilson said.

"With the use of specialised equipment in the form of a tomograph we identified that the majority of the poplars are registering 30-35 percent wood decay. I am waiting on a report which will recommend how those trees should be managed," Mr Wilson said.

Unfortunately one of the trees, opposite the youth hostel, had recorded high levels of decay.

"The decay in that tree, registering at 68 percent, is to the extent that we consider it must be urgently removed," Mr Wilson said.

The single tree would be felled in sections, into the park on Wednesday.

The work would be weather dependent.

"Replacement planting will be undertaken wherever a mature tree is removed. In addition we plan to take cuttings from the original poplars for future replanting," Mr Wilson said.

Once the Council had received the full report it would have a better idea of the anticipated lifespan of the remaining poplars.

"These are heritage trees and obviously wherever possible the trees will be maintained," Mr Wilson said.

ENDS

For further information contact Paul Wilson 441 0499.

By: Tamah