LGOIMA Request Details: LG2454
Date received: 11/05/2026
Requested information: Information about notable trees in Pharazyn Street
Status: Complete
Response:
LG 2454 – Information about notable trees in Pharazyn Street ("the oaks").
The information you have requested is below.
- Any documentation/evidence/dates respecting the decision to recognise the oak tree's on Pharzyn Street as 'notable' or worthy of protection
a. The oaks are protected trees through two different legal mechanisms:
The heritage order was placed on the oaks due to their historical significance. They are believed to have been planted by former Mayor of the Feilding Borough Council William A. Sandilands sometime in the 1890s. The oaks were also considered to be healthy specimens when assessed by an arborist.
The oaks were granted their heritage order based on their history as well as being considered to be "substantial specimens which make a positive contribution toward the townscape in this part of Feilding"2.
No Council records have been identified which evaluate or confirm who planted the oaks, or whether this matter was considered at the time decisions were made.
Council has no record that the heritage order was ever removed.
ii. Manawatū District Plan: The oaks are known as Tree 2 in TREE-SCHED1 Notable Trees Schedule in the District Plan.
The oaks have been listed in the Manawatū District Plan since it became operative in 2002. This is the first instance where the oaks were listed as notable trees. They have been assessed multiple times, including in 1995 for the heritage order application, then again in 2014, 2021, and 2023. Each assessment revealed the trees to be healthy and in need of minor maintenance (deadwooding, crown reduction, and ivy removal).
Notable Trees listed in TREE-SCHED13 of the Manawatū District Plan were most recently reviewed in 2021 through to 2024 via Plan Change H(b): Notable Trees4. No submissions were received requesting changes to the oaks with regard to TREE-SCHED1.
Plan Change H(b) became operative on 30 May 2024 and still has effect today.
b. Documents are provided in this link – LG 2454 Documents
i. Heritage Order File LC 2942 19 Pharazyn Street (includes the 1995 Arborist Assessment)
ii. 2014 Arborist Assessment
iii. 2021 Arborist Assessment (as part of Plan Change H(b))
iv. 2023 Arborist Assessment
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If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact the LGOIMA Response Team on 06 323 0000 or by replying to this email.