A suggestion from a member of the public that the Bayfair Norfolk pines be transplanted to the Mount main beach is not going to happen because the trees are too big.

The trees will have to be moved or felled as construction of the Bayfair to Baypark project gets underway – which will replace the roundabout with an overpass for Maunganui Rd traffic.

Investigations into the feasibility of the suggestion included discussions with a landscape architect, a Tauranga City Council arborist and local special tree contractors, says NZ Transport Agency highways manager Niclas Johansson.

'The trees are understood to be around 12-15m in height and weigh in excess of 15 tonnes depending on the size and soil type around the rootball. Initial rough cost estimates of moving the pines range from $25,000-30,000 per tree, excluding traffic management costs, which could be significant.

'The initial request to relocate the pine trees was to replace the diseased species on Marine Parade,” says Niclas. 'The TCC arborist has since confirmed the trees on Marine Parade are showing signs of recovery and would not require replacement at this stage.

'Given the relatively high costs and risks/uncertainty related to removing and relocating the trees (the impact on services, airport flight path proximity and the fact that sandy soils can be problematic for securing the tree), and that the initial rationale to replace Marine Parade trees is no longer necessary, we have decided not to proceed with relocating the existing Norfolk pine trees.

'The current design for the B2B main works is still in development but is to include extensive landscaping and planting throughout the project area.”

'The construction methodology and programme are still being developed but we anticipate the planting is likely to take place later this year,” says Niclas.