With the bright pink flowers highly visible, the public may be wondering what action there has been to reduce the prevalence of this weedy tree, says Forest & Bird Eastern Bay.

Although these trees are still prominent, there are areas where they have been eradicated.

“There’s been a lot of activity since we first started this project, much of it behind the scenes, visiting individual landowners to talk about the problems, and ways we can help them remove this pest tree,” said Eastern Bay branch chairperson Linda Conning.

“These trees are not native, and although the birds like them, there are other food sources available.

“If we don’t control them now, our native forest reserves will be changed into cherry forests because the birds are spreading the seed far and wide, and they grow exceptionally fast.”

What is being done

■ Forest & Bird is funding contractors working in Mokorua and Kohi Point Scenic Reserves through the Environmental Enhancement Fund.

■ Whakatāne District Council lets Forest & Bird know when work is being done on Gorge and Hillcrest roads, so cherry tree work can be on the roadsides that need traffic management. Some work has already been done on lower Gorge Road.

■ Forest & Bird is working with Halo Whakatāne and has had working bees at the top of Waiewe Street, in Appenzell Drive, at Vi Briffault Reserve and at the top of Ōhope Road where there are a few left that are unable to be reached. More working bees are planned.

■ Forest & Bird continues to help residents in Appenzell Drive with some of the larger and more inaccessible trees, although activity has slowed down over winter.

■ Forest & Bird has been in touch with Kainga Ora to clear one of its properties.

■ The removal from some of the large landholdings between Mokorua and Kohi Point is being investigated and chemical ringbarking, which takes a while to work, but is showing good results on larger properties, is being trialled.

■ Weeders who are working on their own removing seedlings.

If you’d like help to remove these weed trees from your place, get in touch.

Phone Linda on 07 3077108 or email [email protected]