Protesters arrived early in the morning and chained themselves to the trees, but were told they would be arrested for trespassing if they stayed. Photo: Supplied / Kim Spencer-McDonald
Southland protesters who chained themselves to historic trees say they are disappointed they could not save them from the chopping block.
The group of Lawson cypress trees were planted on the grounds of the Lumsden Presbyterian Church in the late 1800s.
They were earmarked to be cut down last year to make way for a new church, prompting protests, a petition and a temporary stay of execution.
Lumsden Tree Lovers member Kim Spencer-McDonald said they have been campaigning since last year to save the trees and found out that they were due to be felled on Monday.
"It makes me really sad. I think it's just so short-sighted."
Lumsden Tree Lovers have been campaigning since last year to save the trees. Photo: Supplied / Kim Spencer-McDonald
The protesters arrived early in the morning and chained themselves to the trees, but were told they would be arrested for trespassing if they stayed.
Instead, she said they watched and documented the felling of one tree and the delimbing of another.
"How do you replace something that's 130 years old? No matter what's planted now it's going to be another at least two or three generations before there's anything even that will resemble something like this."
Police confirmed they attended a breach of the peace shortly after 9am but no arrests were made.
The trees were planted in the late 1800s. Photo: Supplied / Kim Spencer-McDonald
Spencer-McDonald said they first found out about the plans to sell the church and remove the trees to make way for a new building last year.
"We don't want this to happen to any other trees without it being due process, and so for us it's now to really work on the Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council to bring back notable trees into their long term plans so that this doesn't happen again."
She wanted the community to be consulted before historic trees were felled.
The Southland District Council said there was no regulatory protection for the trees.
"There are no powers currently available to Southland District Council to prevent the landowners from disposing of the trees as they see fit."
Lumsden and Balfour Presbyterian Church session elders said the decision to remove the trees was not easy but alternatives were either unsafe and not feasible.
"It has saddened us to see people upset by the removal of our trees. It is a dilemma we have faced for many years and regrettably these trees need to be removed so that our old building can be removed, and a new purpose-built facility constructed for our church and community," they said.
The removal was expected to take several days.
"We ask that those opposed to this please look after themselves and each other, keep some distance and protest safely.
"For over five years we have reflected on how we can best continue to fulfil our mission in our community and central to this is providing a new warm, light, hospitable and accessible building.
"We understand the value people place on trees, and as a congregation we too are committed to caring for the environment. We will leave other species of trees standing on our site, and later we plan to landscape the grounds with new plantings that will provide shelter and food for birds, and space for our community."
The existing church will be moved to a new location in Central Otago at a future date.
"Once the trees are removed, we will be able to move forward with more certainty."
