Christchurch's leafy status under threat, urgent action needed to protect city's tree canopy
From reporter Tina Law:
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New figures, released on Thursday by the Christchurch City Council, show 13.5 per cent of the city is covered by tree canopy, some 2 percentage points lower than in 2015-16, when it was 15.6 per cent.
However, the figures are based on data collected in 2018-19 and city councillor Yani Johanson suspects the actual tree loss now would be much greater, possibly double, given the number of trees that have been cut down to make way for housing intensification.
Auckland had a canopy coverage of 18.4 per cent between 2016 and 2018 and in Wellington the tree canopy covered about 30.6 per cent in 2019.
The lack of trees is most stark in some of Christchurch’s lowest socio-economic areas like Hornby and Linwood, sitting at 6.5 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively. Banks Peninsula has not been included in the study.
Some of the city’s more affluent suburbs have the highest tree cover with Cashmere sitting at 21 per cent and Fendalton at 19 per cent. The Coastal ward, which stretches from Southshore to Brooklands, has 27 per cent coverage, but that includes Bottle Lake Forest. Continue reading here.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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43.9% 1st December
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16.9% A week before Christmas
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32.9% Whenever you wish
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
Handy gardener wanted with large chainsaw
Just needing a small job topping small hedges chain sawing. I’ve done most of the hedges however not the power saw that can cut through the branches I can’t.