An 18-metre Pohutukawa tree planted by ‘Jinty' - one of Tauranga's pre-eminent historians - was cut down today after being deemed dangerous.

Jean Euphemia Finlayson Rorke, who died last year, planted the tree on Monmouth Redoubt, but it has been felled out of necessity.

The Arbor Care team tackle the delicate removal. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The tree split in two at the base on Sunday night, and Grant Schuler, contracts manager for Arbor Care, was charged with removing the hazard.

Grant says the weekend's episode severely compromised the integrity of the tree. 'It's sad,” he admits, 'however there was no alternative but to remove it.”

There were other sensitive issues complicating the removal.

Monmouth Redoubt is an historical site, and a huge crane was called in to preserve the surrounding archaeological area.

Only the stump remains, and archaeologists will be consulted before they consider grinding it to below ground level, amid worries about damaging the site.

The old pa site was re-fortified by soldiers of the 43rd Monmouth Light Infantry in 1864 as they tried to stem the flow of Maori warriors and stores to the Waikato.

It was later a place of refuge for women and children when attacks by Māori were feared.

Though the Pohutukawas at Monmouth Redoubt look old, they were only planted in the 1960s.