THE downed timber filled up the parking area beside the main entrance to the Sawmillers Grove, smashing one of two picnic tables there. Photo Paul Charman
A massive tree branch came down at the main entrance of the popular Manunui Domain bush walkway last month.
The fallen timber, which apparently fell down late at night or in the early morning, would have weighed many tonnes, said Taumarunui historian Ron Cooke, who regularly walks his dog there.
It smashed one of two picnic tables, filling up the parking area beside the main entrance to the bush walkway, which is known locally as the Sawmillers’ Grove.
“It’s just as well this happened at night, because this place is well used. There is often a car parked there during the day. So, people might have been seriously hurt during the daylight hours,” Ron said.
“When you looked at the branch it was obvious why it came down; there was a hollow cavity where it attached to the tree. This [hole] was about a third the width of the branch.”
Ron said it was impressive to see how rapidly local contractors swung into action to clear the site of fallen timber and refuse.
It was clean, tidy and back within public use within about 24 hours.
