Check before you chop - the smart way ??

[Bluekiwi]

Okay can anyone give me the inside running on what to put in your application to have a tree chopped down that might help.

I would have thought a basic pine tree, under the new rules would not be a problem.
But this is an ultra massive tree and anything large is protected.

Note: Once I had educated the planner on the difference between "Width" and "Circumfrance" something her boyfriend had obviously been exagerating on.

The size of the tree is the problem.
It is absolutely massive and too large for a normal residential site.
It is on the north eastern side of the house and stops all the sun.
It hangs over power lines, it has created a garden ecosystem and shrubbery on the flat roof of the garage resulting in a rusted roof.
It also sheds pine needles that has stopped grass growing.
And in my mind the large branchs hanging over our section, are a danger to my young children who will be playing in the backyard.

This is going to be the gyst of my argument.
In the "Application for Resource Consent - Trees" that I have to do - in duplicate of course

I have a deep distrust of council, so am checking if anyone has a heads up on best practice to get them to give consent.
Any idea's on other arguments or more specifically, point of council law to use, to compel them to provide consent.

As I know that practical sensible decisions are the last thing on councils mind.
It will be inactment of laws, bylaws, codes and paragraph b, c and ZZZ of the 999 subsections of the RMA on how to screw law abiding citizens that has me worried, already, before I even start.

[spaceman]

It's easier to ask for forgiveness than seek permission

Cheers
Spaceman

[Bluekiwi]

Is that from experience, or just an idea, I read in the paper some developer getting stung 80k or so.
But this is just one, albiet very big arced, pine tree.
Whats the worst they could do, I dont know, not sure I want to find out though, and resource consent to chop a tree is free.

[BigRedDog]

Look for any signs of rot or sickness.

If you know of branches falling down in past, mention that too.

[the_greenhorn]

Where are you located? What's the residential zoning? Is it a scheduled tree or just ridiculously big?

[TheLiberalLeft]

One suspects the tree was there before you, or indeed, your house. Is there room to fell it in one? If not, be prepared for a bill in the 000's. Actually, be prepared for that in either case.

[Bluekiwi]

Its 4b, we are in Torbay, its not a scheduled tree, just a massive pine tree.
Not sure how to measure its height, but it looks taller than 15m.
Will check its "Girth" tonight.

"Residential 4b".

Tree protection is dependant upon species and size.

[Bluekiwi]

The old lady next door said they planted it in 1973 around the year the house was built, felling it in one, would fell our house in one.
Yep I am thinking 3k.

I did a smaller one in 1997 that cost about 1.2k.

[gavinc]

House I sold in Beachhaven had two huge pines, Council would not let me cut down only one as they each protected each other from the wind. After it was sold I saw that the new owner cut down both trees.
Does your tree shade the neighbour in any way? pine needles fall on the neighbour? Get them on board to support the application.

[Petals]

I did one based on the reasoning that it was too big for the property.........the roots took out a quarter of the front lawn. The true stump was growning in to the fence line causing some concrete to crack etc. The consent to cut it down was granted with no issue. If its causing damage to your house, then I doubt they will turn you down. They did send an aborist to the property to check what I was saying was correct.