A ragged stump, bleeding sap is all that remains after an illegal attempt to remove a Norfolk pine from reserve land on Ocean Rd, Ōhope.

Neighbours say the tree’s branches were removed in an overnight act of vandalism recently.

It is the second time the tree has been vandalised. It was left severely stunted eight years ago after partying youths damaged it by swinging on the branches.

The branches had since regrown, before being hit again.

Whakatāne District Council open spaces operations team leader Paul Camburn said the council was aware of the damage to the tree and disappointed to see this kind of behaviour in a public reserve.

“Damage to any tree on reserve land, including vandalism, removal, attempted removal and poisoning, is illegal. Those found guilty could face prosecution and a fine of up to $20,000.”

The removal of the tree's branches is the second time it has been vandalised. It was left severely stunted eight years ago after partying youths damaged it by swinging on the branches.

He said although the top of the tree had been snapped off previously, it had still been alive and healthy.

“Council does not remove healthy trees,” Camburn said.

In an outcry on social media about the tree, accusations have been flying.

Two neighbours spoken to by Local Democracy Reporting said they did not know who damaged the tree and were critical of the mess the amateur arborist left behind.

The residents, who did not wish to be named because of fear of repercussions, said the act of vandalism had been carried out overnight.

“I woke up and it was like this,” one neighbour said.

The other had been overseas at the time.

The branches and a ringbarked 2.5m stump have been left at the site, seeping sap, and nearby residents had been filling their greenwaste bins with the detritus in an attempt to tidy the area up.

“We thought the council would have come and done it by now,” they said.

The neighbours said they hoped the council would remove the whole tree permanently this time, rather than leave it to regrow.

The tree as it looked before the latest vandalism.

“That’s what they should have done the first time it was vandalised,” a local said.

The neighbours said they would not be sad to see the bushy tree gone, as campers and other beachgoers often urinated there.

However, they said Norfolk pines are difficult to kill and could still survive.

Norfolk pines have been a prominent feature of the Ōhope landscape since the early to mid-20th century.

This tall, hardy, wind and salt tolerant conifer, native to Norfolk Island, was a popular choice around that time for creating shelter.

Other Norfolk pines in the area had their lower branches pruned regularly to allow service vehicles, including tractor mowers, to access the reserve for maintenance works.

The council had no information to indicate why the tree may have been targeted at this stage. It relies on reports from staff and members of the public.

Camburn said incidents could be difficult to investigate without further information or evidence.

“Members of the community are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to council as soon as possible.”

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.