The Queenstown farmer who was killed when a tree fell on his ute on Monday was "a kind and generous man, fair, honest and well liked", a friend said yesterday.
Russell Albert Liggett (57) died when a 20m poplar tree fell in high winds on his Toyota Hilux cab as he drove just metres from his home on Lower Shotover Rd, about 12.30pm. The matter has been referred to the coroner's office.
Landscape architect Paddy Baxter worked with Mr Liggett when they planned a residential subdivision on the Liggett property and worked through the resource consent process together.
Mr Baxter said he had come to know Mr Liggett as a friend as well as a client and his death was "a bombshell".
"It's nothing you can plan for. It was a shock to hear the news."
The tree was estimated to have been 80 to 100 years old and was one of several poplars lining the road. They were believed to have been planted as part of the original farm.
Queenstown Lakes District Council spokeswoman Meaghan Miller said the council had asked vegetation control company Asplundh New Zealand to undertake a safety inspection and file a report on the health of the remaining trees.
It was hoped this would be in the next few days, she said.
"In the interim, [parks manager] Gordon Bailey has inspected the trees and does not believe there is any immediate danger or threat posed by the remaining trees."
A survey of the legal road boundary would be undertaken to determine how remedial costs, if any, would be apportioned, she said.
The incident occurred near the entrance to luxury holiday home Nau Mai. It was yet to be determined if the line of trees stood on private land or road reserve.
Emmatty Nau Mai Ltd director Alastair McIlwrick, of Queenstown, will meet Mr Bailey on site today to determine whether the remaining trees pose a risk to the public.
It was premature to say whether the trees would be felled until an assessment had been made, Mr McIlwrick said.
Community services general manager Paul Wilson said an arborist was engaged to look at the tree in question and evaluate the remaining trees tomorrow.
The arborist's report was expected next week.
