The three poisoned pohutukawa trees near the entrance into Riversdale Beach township before they were removed. PHOTO/FILE
BECKIE WILSON
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Plans are in motion to replace the three poisoned and chopped down pohutukawa trees at Riversdale Beach.
Masterton District Council parks and open spaces manager Kirsty McCarthy said the intention was to “eventually” replace the 30-year-old trees, found dying earlier this year at the entrance to the coastal township.
A police investigation into who is responsible is ongoing.
In February, the council launched their own investigation after discovering the trees were dying, and in early April confirmed the trees had been poisoned.
The following month, the Times-Age revealed the three trees had been poisoned by a restricted herbicide granule, Picloram, but had since been removed by a community group without permission.
McCarthy said the planned planting was not likely to be done until mid-2019 to coincide with planting season.
A decision on plant varieties was yet to be decided, she said.