They are particularly unhappy about losing two 100-year-old Chilean pines, or Monkey Puzzles as they are locally known, to development for a pittance.
The Gore District Council (GDC) could have $18,000 to spend on replacement trees in the district if a resource consent is granted to remove the Chilean pines, which are estimated to be worth more than $270,000.
Power Farming Holdings Ltd has applied for a consent to remove the trees and build new premises on a site at 40 Charlton Lane, next to SH1 at the southern entrance to Gore.
The trees are classified as notable and protected under the Gore District Plan.
They are also named as historic trees on the New Zealand Tree Register.
On the council website inviting resource consent submissions, information about the application is lodged including the application prepared by Bonisch Consultants divisional manager planning Christine McMillan, Paper Street Tree consultant arborist Richie Hill’s report and email communication between council parks and recreation manager Keith McRobie and Ms McMillan.
In his report Mr Hill said the trees were in "excellent health and of sound structure".
"The trees are considered rare for the district especially with a male and a female side-by-side, providing a local seed source.
"The trees have been formally planted on either side of the driveway providing significant street appeal which provides a signature of space for the locality making them a recognisable landmark."
The trees sequestered about 760kg of carbon annually and stored more than 21 tonnes of carbon.
However, due to the vertical root system of the pines, transplanting them was not a viable option.
"I don’t want them cut down because of the historical factor - how old the trees are," Ms van Dam said.
"They’re amazing trees."
Trees were very important, Mr Johnston said.
"They provide us with oxygen.
"Why should we cut down nature to build more buildings?"
Mr Hill concluded in his report that the best three options were to keep the trees, or compensate the loss of the trees with $276,697 or transplant four large grade long-lived species in their place, which would eventually reach a minimum height of 20m.
• Submissions on the resource consent application close on August 3.
