Ailing poplars to be removed from Kaikohe northern entrance

A roadside stand of poplar trees near the northern entrance to Kaikohe township will be felled over several days from Wednesday 29 April. Appropriate safety cordons will be in place to ensure the safety of reserve and road users.

Tāheke roadside reserve, on State Highway 12, is also near an entrance to Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail. The Kaikohe to Hōreke section of the trail will remain open but trail users are advised to use caution around this section during the works.

The tree removal is required to enable essential stormwater infrastructure upgrades. However, most of the stand of nine poplars are in a state of decline with root damage, rot, and root girdling. This is when roots grow around the trunk of a tree rather than outward, compressing and choking parts of the tree.

Plans are being developed to replant the area with more suitable species.

Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board approved the removal of poplar trees at the Tāheke roadside reserve during its April meeting. You can watch that meeting here.

Council contractors will remove the trees between Wednesday 29 April and Wednesday 6 May 2026.

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Main image - the stand of nine poplar trees at the northern entrance to Kaikohe township is also near an entrance to Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail.

Below - an example of root girdling on the poplars, when roots grow around the trunk of a tree rather than outward, compressing and choking parts of the tree.

Below - an example of root rot on the poplars.

Below - an example of one of the dying poplar trees.