An urban forest is cut down one single tree at a time.

You intend to cut down the 150-year-old macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) on Ash Street, Avondale. If you succeed this tree will be but the latest in a rampage of urban tree destruction that has seen one-third of Tāmaki’s canopy lost in a single decade.

You need not be part of this pattern of loss.

It seems the specific purpose for this tree’s destruction is to accommodate a swimming pool and avoid shading in some apartments in your Aroha development at a certain time of day.

Trees have inherent value and we must uphold their mana.

With appropriate pruning and proper care and management of this heritage tree, and a minor re-think of the design and engineering of your development, this grand, old Macrocarpa will come to be seen as something that enhances the Aroha project rather than hinders it. This could be done without reducing the number of apartments.

Keeping this tree manifests and affirms a future for Auckland’s development in which old trees and new housing are not competing forces.

This tree was planted before anyone alive today was born.

In a climate emergency, the macrocarpa stores over 2000kgs of carbon and is actively sequestering carbon. You cannot replace this value by planting 21 younger trees.

This tree is home to many birds, including tui whose call is universally cherished. These birds also have a right to live and will be homeless if you kill this tree.

Trees like this provide habitat and refuge for a multitude of creatures. Without them, our urban landscape will become increasingly absent of birds, native insects and other fauna.

Perhaps your swimming pool is in the wrong place because it’s where there is already a 150-year-old scheduled tree growing.

Please revisit your plans, listen to the community, and save the Ash Street Macrocarpa.

Aroha mai, aroha atu.